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Fact Check: Claim of Tehran air defenses firing at "hostile" targets

Supported

Claim checked

“Air defenses in Tehran are firing at “hostile” targets -Iranian state outlet Mehr”

Published

Updated

Verdict

Supported

On April 23, 2026, Iranian state-affiliated media, specifically the Mehr News Agency, reported that air defense systems in Tehran were activated to counter "hostile targets." This report was corroborated by other news agencies and independent observers on the ground who witnessed the activity.

Reasoning

The claim accurately reflects reports issued by Iranian state media. Multiple international news outlets, including Xinhua, Daily Sabah, and Middle East Eye, documented the Mehr News Agency's statement regarding the activation of air defenses.

Furthermore, an Al Jazeera correspondent in Tehran independently confirmed witnessing the air defense systems engaged over the city. While an Israeli official denied that Israel was conducting strikes at the time, the fact that Mehr News Agency made the report and that air defenses were physically active is supported by the available evidence.

Source quality: The evidence includes reports from multiple international news organizations (Xinhua, Daily Sabah, Middle East Eye, Türkiye Today) and mentions independent confirmation from an Al Jazeera correspondent on the ground.

Key checks

  • Iranian State Media Reports: Mehr News Agency and Nour News both reported the activation of air defense batteries in Tehran to engage "hostile targets" on the evening of April 23, 2026.

  • Independent Corroboration: An Al Jazeera correspondent in Tehran independently confirmed witnessing the air defense systems engaged over the city, and IRNA reported the sound of firing in western Tehran.

Confidence

High

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