Fact Check: "The United States delivered approximately 300 Hellfire missiles to Israel on Tuesday, prior to Israel's attack on Iran on Friday."
What We Know
Reports indicate that the United States covertly delivered around 300 AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles to Israel on Tuesday, just days before Israel's significant military operation against Iranian nuclear and military targets, which occurred on Friday. This information was confirmed by multiple U.S. officials, as reported by Middle East Eye and The Jerusalem Post. The delivery of these missiles was part of a larger arms package valued at $7.4 billion that had been approved by Congress earlier in the year, which meant that no additional notification was required for this transfer (Middle East Eye, The Jerusalem Post).
Additionally, U.S. ground-based air defense systems reportedly assisted Israel in intercepting over 150 Iranian ballistic missiles that were launched in retaliation following the airstrikes (Middle East Eye).
Analysis
The claim that the U.S. delivered approximately 300 Hellfire missiles to Israel is supported by credible sources, including reports from Middle East Eye and The Jerusalem Post. Both outlets cite anonymous U.S. officials, which is a common practice in reporting sensitive military information. While the anonymity of the sources may raise questions about the reliability of the information, the consistency of the reports across multiple reputable outlets lends credibility to the claim.
Moreover, the context surrounding the missile delivery is significant. The timing of the shipment—just days before a major military operation—suggests a level of coordination between the U.S. and Israel. This is further supported by statements from U.S. officials indicating that the administration was aware of Israel's plans and had provided military support (Middle East Eye, The Jerusalem Post).
However, it is important to consider potential biases in the reporting. Middle East Eye, while generally reputable, has been critiqued for its editorial stance, which may lean towards a particular narrative regarding U.S.-Israel relations. Nonetheless, the corroboration from multiple sources, including mainstream media, helps mitigate concerns about bias.
Conclusion
Based on the evidence presented, the claim that the United States delivered approximately 300 Hellfire missiles to Israel prior to Israel's attack on Iran is True. The reports from multiple credible sources confirm the details of the missile shipment and the context in which it occurred, indicating a coordinated military effort between the U.S. and Israel.
Sources
- PDF June 10, 2025 STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD GENERAL MICHAEL "ERIK" KURILLA ...
- Exclusive: US has sent Israel thousands of 2000-pound ...
- US shipped 300 Hellfires to Israel before Iran strike, aided defense ...
- Exclusive: US quietly sent hundreds of Hellfire missiles to Israel ...
- The United States has secretly sent hundreds of missiles to ...
- US Sent 300 hellfire missiles to Israel days before Iran strikes ...
- What is Hellfire missile? Secret weapon behind Israel's strike on Iran
- US officials: US has sent Israel thousands of bombs since October 7
