Fact Check: Since October 2023, Israel has been conducting air attacks against Iran, targeting its military and scientific establishment as part of a preventative war strategy.

Fact Check: "Since October 2023, Israel has been conducting air attacks against Iran, targeting its military and scientific establishment as part of a preventative war strategy."

What We Know

The claim states that Israel has been conducting air attacks against Iran since October 2023. However, the timeline of events surrounding Israeli military actions against Iran indicates that significant military operations were reported earlier. For example, on June 12-13, 2025, Israel launched a heavy barrage against Iranian targets associated with its nuclear program, which included the deaths of several top military and security officials (source-1). This suggests that the military actions were not initiated in October 2023 but rather in June 2025.

Additionally, reports indicate that Israel's military operations have included air strikes and covert actions against Iran, but these actions were part of a broader context of ongoing tensions rather than a specific "preventative war strategy" initiated in October 2023 (source-2).

Analysis

The assertion that Israel has been conducting air attacks since October 2023 is misleading and factually incorrect. The timeline of Israeli military actions shows that significant strikes occurred much later, in June 2025, which contradicts the claim. The sources cited provide a clear indication that the military operations were not a new development in October 2023 but rather part of a continuing series of escalations in the region.

Moreover, the characterization of these actions as part of a "preventative war strategy" lacks context. While Israel has historically engaged in military operations aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities, the specific framing of a "preventative war" implies a preemptive strike strategy that is not supported by the evidence available. Instead, the operations appear to be reactive to ongoing threats and provocations from Iran, particularly in light of the broader geopolitical landscape (source-4, source-5).

The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is strong, as they come from established institutions and credible news outlets. However, the claim itself lacks substantiation from these sources, leading to a conclusion that the assertion is not only incorrect but also potentially misleading regarding the nature of Israel's military strategy.

Conclusion

Verdict: False
The claim that Israel has been conducting air attacks against Iran since October 2023 is incorrect. Significant military operations were reported in June 2025, and the framing of these actions as part of a preventative war strategy does not align with the available evidence. The situation is complex, involving ongoing tensions and responses rather than a straightforward preemptive military campaign.

Sources

1. Special Briefing: Israel strikes Iran's nuclear program
2. Israeli Attack on Iran: Considerations for Congress
3. Israel - The World Factbook
4. Israel strikes Iran. What happens next? - Brookings
5. Iran's October Surprise: Three Takeaways for Future Air Defense Strategy
6. Israel – Wikipedia
7. Multiple explosions rock Iran's capital : NPR
8. Israel country profile - BBC News