Iranian media outlets are emphasizing that neither the Bushehr nuclear power plant nor Kharg Island were struck in recent attacks, according to the reports. The statement follows earlier denials from Iranian officials after overnight US strikes on Iran.
Iranian media outlets are now jointly denying that the Bushehr nuclear power plant and Kharg Island were struck in the overnight US attacks, according to reports monitored by The Zioneer at 12:02 Thursday. The denial expands on earlier statements and follows a night of conflicting reports starting at 03:07 Wednesday, when The Zioneer first reported explosions on Kharg Island.
The thread of reports on Kharg Island evolved rapidly at 03:07 Wednesday: initial reports of explosions (version 1), followed by additional explosions on Qeshm and Kharg islands (version 2), then a security-focused channel claiming the island's oil terminal was deliberately bombed (version 3), and finally a senior Iranian source denying that Kharg Island was struck (version 4). Separately, at 00:14 Thursday, Iran's Mehr news agency denied that the US strikes damaged the Bushehr nuclear plant. The sources: the initial reports came from a single unverified channel; the senior source was described as well-known in the Arab world but not identified; the Mehr denial was state-affiliated. The current denial, from multiple Iranian media outlets, combines both sites and increases the pattern of official denials.
As The Zioneer has reported in previous cycles (e.g., at 06:38 Jun 27, Sirik Island; 01:13 Jun 10, Minab; 11:59 Jun 10, Qeshm Island; 01:22 Jun 11, Asaluyeh), Iranian officials and state-affiliated media have consistently denied damage to strategic sites after US strikes. The current denial fits this pattern, even as the US military has claimed significant damage to IRGC positions and drone facilities.
The status of Kharg Island and the Bushehr plant remains unverified by independent sources. No satellite imagery, on-the-ground reporting, or official US confirmation has been released to corroborate or refute the Iranian statements. The actual extent of damage from the overnight US strikes continues to be disputed.
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