Fact Check: Did Iran kill a hundred US soldiers in its airstrike on Dubai?
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: As the conflict in the Middle East intensified following the death of Iran’s supreme leader in a joint operation by the United States and Israel, Iran launched retaliatory airstrikes targeting Israel and US bases in the Gulf, claiming to have killed a hundred US soldiers. The claim has gone viral online. Let us fact-check the rumor.
Claim: Iran killed a hundred US soldiers in Dubai
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Wednesday claimed that it had targeted 160 US soldiers in the Dubai airstrike, of which it had managed to hit and kill 100.
Additionally, they threatened to use drones and missiles to attack US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.
They cautioned US-Israel forces against maintaining their military presence in the area, claiming it has caused unrest throughout the Middle East.
The claim has sparked panic and speculation, with many believing it to be true.
Fact Check: US State Department rejected the claim
However, the US State Department, on Wednesday, rejected Iran's claim. A spokesperson said that no one was killed or injured in Iran's recent strike on a US diplomatic facility in Dubai.
“Any claim that Iran has killed 100 US military or civilian personnel in Dubai is complete disinformation. No one was killed or injured by the strike on the US Consulate in Dubai," the spokesperson said, as per an Iran International report.
According to the latest update from the Central Command (CENTCOM) of the US military, dated March 2, six service members have been killed in action since the beginning of the conflict between Iran and US-Israel forces.
Iran's ability to strike is weakening, according to United States
The claim emerged as Iran continues its retaliatory airstrikes against the US and Israel, following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
As the conflict entered its seventh day, the US military said on Thursday, March 5, that Iran’s ability to strike American forces and regional allies is weakening.
In a statement posted on social media, United States Central Command said sustained US and Israeli operations were significantly degrading Iran’s ability to retaliate.
“The Iranian regime's ability to impact US forces and regional partners is rapidly declining, while American combat power continues to build,” the command said in the post, which included video clips showing apparent strikes on Iranian military assets.
The conflict began last Saturday, February 28, when the US and Israel launched coordinated attacks targeting Iran’s leadership, missile infrastructure, and nuclear facilities.
