Fact-check: In Trump’s Case for an Attack on Iran, False or Unproven Claims

Fact-checkers have examined claims made by the Trump administration this week regarding Iran's missile capabilities, finding that key elements in their arguments for potential military action against Iran lack substantiation. According to a diplomatic cable dated February 24, 2010, Iran obtained 19 medium-range missiles from North Korea with a capacity to travel more than 2,000 miles, potentially enabling strikes on parts of Europe. At the time of this acquisition, American officials expressed concerns that the advanced propulsion technology could accelerate Iran's development of intercontinental ballistic missiles. However, fact-checkers have determined that while these claims contain elements of truth, they have been presented in a misleading manner to build support for a military campaign against Iran, with the administration's assertions about the immediacy and severity of the threat not aligning with available intelligence from military and diplomatic experts.