Israel Bombs Tehran’s Evin Prison; Iran Reports 71 Dead

Israeli aircraft struck Evin prison in northern Tehran on 23 June, describing the raid as its most intense bombardment of the Iranian capital since fighting began earlier this month. The facility is notorious for holding political prisoners and dual nationals and is regarded inside Iran as a symbol of state authority. The strike occurred a day after U.S. forces entered the conflict by attacking Iranian nuclear sites, deepening a war that had raged for 12 days. Israel said it was targeting “regime targets and government repression bodies” in the heart of Tehran; it did not comment specifically on damage or casualties at the prison. Iranian officials later escorted a small group of foreign journalists, including a Sky News crew, through the compound on 4 July. Video showed collapsed buildings, a gutted hospital wing and debris-strewn visitor areas. The judiciary-run Mizan news agency said at least 71 people—prisoners and visiting relatives—were killed. No escapes were reported, and the death toll has not been independently verified. The airstrike, followed by a cease-fire that halted hostilities late last week, highlights the breadth of Israeli targets during the brief war and underscores the reputational weight Evin carries in Iran’s domestic security apparatus.