Fact Check: The Israeli attack on October 20, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of at least 224 people in Iran, including top military commanders and nuclear scientists.

Published June 16, 2025

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FactChecker 1.1

VERDICT

Partially True

# Fact Check: "The Israeli attack on October 20, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of at least 224 people in Iran, including top military commanders an...

Fact Check: "The Israeli attack on October 20, 2023, has resulted in the deaths of at least 224 people in Iran, including top military commanders and nuclear scientists."

What We Know

On October 20, 2023, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes targeting various military and nuclear facilities across Iran. Reports indicate that these strikes resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. According to Iranian state media and various news outlets, the confirmed casualties include key figures such as Maj. Gen. Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and several nuclear scientists, including Fereydoon Abbasi-Davani, the former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (Washington Post, BBC).

While the Iranian government has not released an official death toll, estimates from state media suggest that the total number of fatalities could be as high as 224, including both military personnel and civilians (Reuters, New York Times). The Israeli military has acknowledged targeting military leaders and nuclear scientists, asserting that these individuals were involved in Iran's military and nuclear ambitions (Al Jazeera, NBC News).

Analysis

The claim that the Israeli attack resulted in at least 224 deaths, including top military commanders and nuclear scientists, is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times and PBS both report the figure of 224 fatalities, which includes military personnel and civilians. However, it is important to note that this number has not been independently verified and is based on reports from Iranian state media, which may have a vested interest in inflating casualty figures for propaganda purposes.

The deaths of high-profile military figures such as Salami and Bagheri are confirmed by various sources, including the Washington Post and BBC. The inclusion of nuclear scientists in the casualty list is also corroborated by reports from the Iranian state broadcaster and statements from Israeli officials (Reuters, Al Jazeera).

However, the overall casualty figure of 224 should be approached with caution due to the lack of independent verification and the potential for bias in reporting from Iranian sources. The context of the ongoing conflict and the historical animosity between Iran and Israel may also influence how these figures are reported and interpreted.

Conclusion

The claim that the Israeli attack on October 20, 2023, resulted in the deaths of at least 224 people in Iran, including top military commanders and nuclear scientists, is Partially True. While there is credible evidence supporting the deaths of several high-ranking officials and a significant number of casualties, the exact figure of 224 remains unverified and may include inflated numbers from civilian casualties. Therefore, while the core of the claim holds merit, the specifics should be treated with caution.

Sources

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