Fact Check: Is Donald Trump's claim Iran has Tomahawk missiles true?
WASHINGTON, DC: Amid the controversy surrounding the killing of schoolgirls in Iran by the US-Israeli missile strike that has escalated the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, President Donald Trump has claimed that the Tomahawk missile, which caused the killing, is owned even by Iran. Let us analyze the president’s remark and fact-check its authenticity.
Claim: Donald Trump claims Iran has Tomahawk missiles
When asked why he was the only official in his administration suggesting that Iran may have obtained a Tomahawk missile and used it to bomb its own elementary school on the first day of the war, Trump responded by saying the matter remained under investigation and that he did not yet have sufficient information about the attack.
"Because I just don't know enough about it. I think it's something that I was told is under investigation. But Tomahawks are used by others, as you know. Numerous other nations have Tomahawks. They buy them from us.”
“Well, I haven’t seen it. I will say that the Tomahawk, which is one of the most powerful weapons around, is sold and used by other countries. Iran has some Tomahawks,” Trump said.
Fact Check: No evidence to prove Iran has Tomahawk missiles
However, Trump’s claim is false, as the United States is the one that primarily owns and operates the Tomahawk missiles. The United Kingdom, an ally of the US, also uses it, but it is not involved in the ongoing war with Iran.
The missile is manufactured by Raytheon, a major defense contractor based in the US, and sells the missile to allied countries like Japan and Australia, but there is no evidence that Iran has access to these missiles.
A user wrote in an X post, with footage from Iran's Mehr News showing 'for the first time, that the United States (had) struck the area'.
The user pointed out, "The US is the only participant in the war that is known to have Tomahawk missiles. Israel is not known to have Tomahawk missiles."
Donald Trump earlier blamed Iran for school bombing
Trump told reporters on Saturday, March 7, that he believed the deadly bombing at a girls’ primary school in southern Iran was carried out by Iran itself, though he did not provide evidence for the claim.
The bombing occurred on February 28, the same day missile strikes began in the region. Reports said at least 175 schoolgirls were killed and many others were injured in the attack. Most of the victims were between seven and 12 years old.
Much of the school building was destroyed while classes were taking place, causing widespread devastation across the campus and a large number of casualties among the students.
