Iran’s judiciary announced on Sunday that an Israeli airstrike on Tehran’s Evin prison during the recent 12-day conflict resulted in the deaths of at least 71 people. The strike, part of a larger Israeli bombardment campaign launched on June 13, targeted one of Iran’s most notorious and heavily fortified detention facilities.
According to judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir, the attack on June 24 struck the administrative wing of the prison, leading to significant casualties. The dead reportedly included prison guards, administrative staff, inmates, visiting family members, and residents living near the complex.
Evin prison, located in northern Tehran, is known for housing political prisoners, dual nationals, and human rights activists. Over the years, the facility has become a symbol of political repression in Iran. Among its high-profile detainees is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, as well as several French nationals and other foreign citizens.
Jahangir stated that the strike caused widespread destruction. “The attack demolished the administrative section, visiting rooms, and the prison’s medical center,” he said. Images released by the Iranian judiciary revealed collapsed ceilings, broken walls, and debris-littered waiting areas, underscoring the intensity of the assault.
In the immediate aftermath of the strike, Iran’s prison authority began evacuating inmates from the facility. However, officials did not disclose the number of prisoners transferred or their destinations.
The strike on Evin came amid a broader escalation between Iran and Israel, which saw more than a week of tit-for-tat attacks before a ceasefire was declared late last week. While Israel has not officially commented on the strike, it had previously warned of targeting military and intelligence-related sites in Tehran.
Human rights groups have condemned the attack, warning that targeting a prison housing political detainees may constitute a violation of international law. Calls for independent investigations have grown louder as questions persist over the legal and humanitarian implications of the strike.
As tensions remain high between the two regional powers, the attack on Evin underscores the vulnerability of even the most secure sites in the face of escalating hostilities.
