Fact Check: "U.S. military attacked Iran with over 125 aircraft"
What We Know
The claim that the U.S. military attacked Iran with over 125 aircraft is supported by multiple credible sources. On June 22, 2025, the U.S. launched a significant military operation against three Iranian nuclear sites, namely Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan. This operation, codenamed "Midnight Hammer," involved more than 125 aircraft, including seven B-2 stealth bombers, and resulted in the deployment of 75 precision-guided weapons during the strikes (BBC, NPR, Reuters).
The operation was characterized by advanced tactics, including the use of decoy flights to mislead Iranian defenses (Fox News, The Aviationist). The strikes were intended to disrupt Iran's nuclear capabilities, which U.S. officials claimed were critical to preventing the development of nuclear weapons (NPR).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust, coming from various reputable news organizations and military briefings. The operation's scale and the number of aircraft involved have been consistently reported across multiple sources, including the BBC, NPR, and Reuters. These outlets are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards, lending credibility to their reports on the military operation.
The details provided by U.S. military officials, particularly General Dan Caine, who briefed the media on the operation, further substantiate the claim. He confirmed that the strikes involved over 125 aircraft and were executed with precision-guided munitions, specifically targeting Iran's nuclear facilities (BBC, NPR).
Critically, while some Iranian officials have downplayed the impact of the strikes, claiming that the sites had been evacuated prior to the attack, this does not negate the fact that a substantial military operation involving over 125 aircraft took place (BBC). The lack of immediate evidence of increased radiation levels, as reported by Saudi Arabia and the UN's nuclear watchdog, also does not detract from the claim regarding the scale of the U.S. military action (BBC).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the U.S. military attacked Iran with over 125 aircraft is accurate. The operation involved a significant deployment of military resources aimed at disrupting Iran's nuclear capabilities, as confirmed by multiple credible sources. The consistency of reports from reputable news organizations and military officials further supports the validity of this claim.
Sources
- What we know about US strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites
- 4 things to know about the U.S. airstrikes on Iran : NPR
- US bombing of Iran started with a fake-out
- Pentagon Details Multipronged Attack on Iranian Nuclear Sites
- Operation Midnight Hammer: Timeline of US strikes on Iran's nuclear ...
- Operation Midnight Hammer: How U.S. B-2 Bombers Struck Iran Undetected
