Fact Check: "The military reportedly conducted a second round of airstrikes against the nuclear facility on Friday afternoon."
What We Know
On June 13, 2025, Israel conducted a series of airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including the main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz. Initial reports indicated that these strikes resulted in significant damage and casualties among Iranian military leaders and scientists (AP News). Following the initial wave of attacks, which occurred early Friday, Iranian forces launched retaliatory missile strikes against Israel later that same day (NPR).
Reports from various sources confirmed that Israel's airstrikes were part of a broader operation named "Rising Lion," aimed at countering perceived threats from Iran's advancing nuclear capabilities (BBC). The Israeli military stated that the operation was ongoing and that further actions could be expected (CBS News).
Analysis
The claim that a second round of airstrikes was conducted against the nuclear facility on Friday afternoon is partially true. While initial airstrikes were confirmed, the nature of the "second round" is somewhat ambiguous. Reports indicate that after the initial strikes, which targeted multiple sites including Natanz, there were further military activities, but the specifics about whether these constituted another distinct round of airstrikes against the nuclear facility itself are less clear.
The AP News article mentions that "black smoke rose Friday from Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz following Israeli attacks," suggesting that the facility was indeed targeted. However, it does not explicitly confirm a second wave of airstrikes specifically aimed at the nuclear site after the initial strikes.
Furthermore, the NPR report highlights that the Israeli military warned civilians of ongoing threats, implying that military operations were still active. However, it does not provide detailed confirmation of additional airstrikes specifically targeting the nuclear facility after the first wave.
The reliability of the sources is generally high, with major news outlets like AP, NPR, and BBC providing corroborated information. However, the situation is fluid, and military operations can often lead to conflicting reports as events unfold.
Conclusion
The claim that "the military reportedly conducted a second round of airstrikes against the nuclear facility on Friday afternoon" is partially true. While there were indeed airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, the specifics regarding a distinct second round of airstrikes targeting the Natanz facility remain unclear. The ongoing nature of military operations and the immediate aftermath of the initial strikes contribute to the ambiguity surrounding this claim.
Sources
- Israel attacks Iran's nuclear and missile sites
- U.S. aids Israel in intercepting Iran's retaliatory strikes
- What we know about Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear sites
- Live Updates: Israeli Strikes Target Iran's Nuclear Program
- Israeli airstrikes hit multiple Iran nuclear sites. Here's what ...
- Live updates: Iran launches attack on Israel after airstrikes
