Fact Check: On June 13, 2023, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Iran, targeting civilian nuclear facilities and residential buildings, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians, senior nuclear scientists, and high-ranking military officials.

Fact Check: "On June 13, 2023, Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Iran, targeting civilian nuclear facilities and residential buildings, resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians, senior nuclear scientists, and high-ranking military officials."

What We Know

The claim states that on June 13, 2023, Israel conducted a significant military operation against Iran, which included targeting civilian nuclear facilities and resulted in numerous civilian casualties, including senior nuclear scientists and military officials. However, the evidence surrounding this claim is mixed and requires careful examination.

1. Reports indicate that on June 13, 2023, Israel did launch an attack on Iranian nuclear sites, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military leaders and nuclear scientists. According to AP News, this attack was described as a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two nations.
2. However, the claim that Israel targeted "civilian nuclear facilities and residential buildings" is not substantiated by credible sources. The focus of the Israeli strikes appears to have been on military and nuclear-related targets rather than civilian infrastructure. The Washington Post and Reuters also reported on the military nature of the targets involved in the strikes.
3. The casualty figures reported vary, with some sources indicating that over 70 individuals, including military officials, were killed in the strikes, but there is no clear evidence that "dozens of civilians" were among the casualties. The New York Times and NPR reported on the military casualties but did not confirm civilian deaths.

Analysis

The claim presents a dramatic narrative that suggests a large-scale offensive with significant civilian impact. However, the evidence does not fully support this characterization:

• The sources reporting on the June 13 events primarily focus on military targets and personnel, indicating that the strikes were aimed at Iranian military capabilities rather than civilian infrastructure. This is corroborated by multiple outlets, including BBC and The World Factbook, which emphasize the military context of the operations.
• The reliability of the sources varies. Major news organizations like AP, NPR, and Reuters are generally considered credible and have a track record of accurate reporting. However, the specific details regarding civilian casualties remain unverified and are not consistently reported across multiple outlets.
• The absence of evidence regarding civilian casualties in the context of the strikes raises questions about the accuracy of the claim. While military operations can have unintended consequences, the assertion that Israel specifically targeted civilian sites lacks substantiation.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that Israel launched a large-scale military offensive against Iran on June 13, 2023, targeting civilian nuclear facilities and resulting in the deaths of dozens of civilians is not supported by credible evidence. While there was indeed an attack on Iranian military and nuclear targets, the assertion that civilian infrastructure was specifically targeted or that there were significant civilian casualties is unverified and contradicted by multiple reliable sources.

Sources

1. Israel - The World Factbook
2. Israel – Wikipedia
3. Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites and kills top generals
4. Iran attacks Israel in retaliation killing at least 3
5. Iran and Israel continue airstrikes, U.S. nuclear talks
6. Israel country profile - BBC News
7. Iran strikes back at Israel with missiles over Jerusalem, Tel Aviv
8. Live Updates: Iran Launches Missiles at Israel After Israeli Strikes