Iran has confirmed that an Israeli strike on Tehran’s Evin prison, one of the most notorious facilities in the country, resulted in the deaths of at least 71 people, including staff, soldiers, prisoners, and members of visiting families. The attack, according to Iran’s judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir, targeted ‘regime targets and government repression bodies’ in line with Israel’s statement on June 23, which claimed the strike was aimed at ‘government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.’ The facility is known for housing many of Iran’s political prisoners and dissidents, making it a focal point in the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran.
The strike is part of a broader 12-day period of Israeli air raids, which Israel claimed resulted in the deaths of around 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists. The attacks also reportedly damaged eight nuclear-related facilities and over 720 military bases, according to Israeli Defense Ministry claims. While Iran has not yet provided a detailed breakdown of the casualties, the Human Rights Activists in Iran organization estimates that at least 35 of the deceased were staff members, with two being inmates. The fatalities also included a person walking near the prison and a woman who had gone to meet her imprisoned husband’s judge, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the conflict.
Iran’s judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, stated that some of the injured were treated on-site, while others were taken to hospitals. However, the exact number of injured remains undisclosed. The attack also coincides with concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. Despite former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that American strikes had ‘obliterated’ Iran’s nuclear capabilities, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) director, Rafael Grossi, warned that the damage, while severe, is not total. He emphasized that Iran retains the industrial and technological capacity to restart its nuclear program within months, stressing the need for further inspections to fully assess the damage.
Jahangir, in an official statement, noted that the strike was carried out as part of Israel’s efforts to target ‘government repression bodies,’ a move that has drawn international criticism for its civilian casualties. The incident has reignited discussions about the broader regional conflict, with Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the use of prisons as sites of political repression remaining focal points. As tensions continue to escalate, the human and political consequences of such strikes are increasingly scrutinized by both domestic and international observers.