Fact Check: Was Benjamin Netanyahu’s office hit by an Iranian missile?
JERUSALEM, ISRAEL: Amid the tensions in the Middle East that have escalated into a major conflict following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, a spokesperson for Iran claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office was hit by an Iranian missile. Let us examine the authenticity of the claim and fact-check the speculations.
Claim: Iran hit Benjamin Netanyahu's office
A military spokesperson from the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed in a video statement that Tehran's Khaibar missiles had successfully struck Netanyahu’s office, as well as the home of Israel's Air Force chief, Tomer Bar, in a 'surprise attack'.
"The office of the criminal prime minister of the Zionist regime and the headquarters of the regime’s air force commander were targeted," the IRGC said, as per a report from news agency Fars.
This comes after explosions were heard in Jerusalem, following which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had said in a statement, “A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat."
Fact Check: Israel dismissed the claim as fake news
However, Israel on Monday dismissed the claims that PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office was hit in a missile attack amid Iran's tenth wave of retaliatory strikes against the US and Israel.
According to a report by The Times of Israel, Netanyahu's office had called the IRGC's claims 'fake news' and asserted that his office was 'intact'.
There is no credible evidence or any report by prominent news media outlets about the Israeli premier’s office being hit.
United States-Israel strikes on Iran spark wider conflict
The claim surfaced as the United States and Israel continue to target key sites in Iran amid a major escalation in the region.
The strikes that are part of a broader offensive that began days earlier have hit Tehran and other strategic locations after months of rising tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and hostile actions.
The attack from Iran intensified after Khamenei was killed following a devastating joint military operation by the US and Israel.
Iran has since vowed retaliation and launched counterattacks on US and Israeli interests across the Middle East, raising fears of a wider conflict.
