A large-scale Israeli airstrike damaged the entrance and administrative sectors of Tehran’s infamous Evin Prison on June 23, killing at least one visitor and a prison doctor while leaving detainees and families in chaos.
At a Glance
- Israeli forces struck the prison gate and nearby court buildings in a bid to cripple Tehran’s internal security infrastructure
- Iran’s judiciary confirmed “parts of the prison have been damaged,” with video showing structural destruction
- A prison doctor and visiting family member were reportedly killed in the blast, according to regional media
- Telephone lines were cut in most wards and family visits were suspended amid widespread panic
- Political prisoners, including dual nationals and activists, remain trapped as families scramble for news
Strategic Target or Humanitarian Crisis?
Evin Prison, notorious for detaining political dissidents and foreign nationals, suffered heavy damage when an Israeli airstrike tore through its gates and administrative wings. Video circulated on Iranian channels shows debris scattered across the complex, underscoring the operation’s scale. The judiciary acknowledged the strike had damaged parts of the prison, while regional outlets reported the deaths of a prison doctor and a visiting relative.
Families in Peril, Prisoners in Limbo
Relatives rushing to the site described scenes of chaos—cell windows shattered, phones disabled, and ward locks jammed, leaving inmates isolated. One family member stated, “My father called … all the windows in the ward have been broken … what kind of crime and stupidity is this?” Family visits have been suspended, with communication blackout fueling fears for detainees’ safety.
Regional Escalation & Legal Fallout
The June 23 strike follows a broader Israeli–Iran confrontation that escalated after June 13 with attacks on military and nuclear sites. Though a ceasefire was announced on June 24, international observers warn that striking a prison holding political prisoners and dual nationals may breach humanitarian law. Human rights advocates fear such moves could trigger repression against detainees or retaliatory crackdowns.
The targeting of Evin—also affecting adjacent courtrooms and a power station—highlights the risks of strategic military action bleeding into humanitarian disaster. As ceasefire terms unfold, the raid raises pointed questions about the future of detainee rights and the volatile balance of power in the region.
