On June 23, 2025, Israeli airstrikes hit Evin Prison, Tehran’s central detention facility for political dissidents, human rights activists, dual nationals, and foreign detainees This came during an intensification of hostilities between Israel and Iran.
What Happened
- Targets hit: Israeli jets bombed the prison’s entrance and surrounding structures—mirroring a broader campaign that included strikes on the Basij militia, IRGC bases, and nuclear-related sites like Fordow
- Purpose: According to Israeli sources, the goal was to undermine Iran’s internal-security apparatus by undermining its symbolic headquarters and possibly enabling prisoner escape .
Read Also: Trump Announces Ceasefire in “12-Day War” — No Confirmation Yet from Israel or Iran
Humanitarian Impact
- The strikes caused damage to prison gates and wards, including the women’s political wing—raising urgent concerns about the wellbeing of detainees
- Families of the prisoners gathered nearby, desperate for news. Reports indicate structural collapse and power outages, but accurate casualty or injury counts remain unavailable .
- Inside Evin, lawyers, scholars, and prisoners—including prominent detainees—are now at heightened risk due to bombardment and Iran’s tightened security crackdown
Broader Context
- Evin Prison is notorious as Iran’s symbol of political repression, notorious for torture, solitary confinement (“white torture”), denial of medical care, transgender and minority persecution, and detaining foreign nationals
- In the past, Evin has suffered similar incidents: a deadly October 2022 fire during the Mahsa Amini protests and documented systemic abuses
International, Domestic Responses
- Iran’s judiciary and the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran have called on the government to issue emergency furloughs or conditional releases for vulnerable political prisoners caught in the bombing zones
- Human rights organizations emphasize that Iran is bound by legal obligations—under the ICCPR and UN Convention Against Torture—to safeguard detainees, particularly in conflict situations
What’s Next
- The strikes on Evin are part of a wider campaign targeting Iran’s internal-security and nuclear infrastructure—raising fears of further escalation .
- Observers worry military action in Tehran, especially near densely inhabited areas, could trigger civilian harm, institutional overreach, and growing international condemnation.
- Humanitarian priorities include verifying detainee safety, establishing evacuation or medical aid corridors, and keeping diplomatic pressure to prevent further civilian entanglement.
Read Also: How the US Bombarded Iran Nuclear Sites: Full Breakdown of Operation Midnight Hammer
Takeaway
The attack on Evin Prison marks a significant and troubling escalation—Israel is deliberately targeting Tehran’s internal-security backbone, not solely military installations. As a result, political prisoners are vulnerable to both military action and state reprisals. With international law and human rights implications at play, calls for urgent oversight, release of non-violent detainees, and conflict de-escalation are becoming increasingly imperative.
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