Iran’s judiciary has made a stark claim: an Israeli strike on Tehran’s infamous Evin prison this month resulted in the deaths of 71 people. This reported attack, occurring just a day before a ceasefire took effect, represents one of the deadliest single incidents on iranian territory attributed to Israel during a recent period of intense hostility. The high casualty count and the sensitive nature of the target – a facility notorious for holding political prisoners – have drawn significant international attention and concern. Independent verification of the figures and details provided by Iranian authorities remains challenging.
Devastating Impact Reported at Notorious Facility
According to statements from Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir, conveyed via the official Mizan news agency, the Israeli attack occurred on June 23, 2025. This date places the strike squarely within the final hours of a heated 12-day confrontation between Iran and Israel. Jahangir detailed a diverse group among the claimed 71 fatalities. These included not only inmates but also prison staff, conscripted soldiers performing their military service at the facility, visiting family members, and even individuals reportedly residing in the vicinity of the prison complex.
The judiciary’s account specified that the strike hit multiple key areas within the vast Evin prison complex. These targeted sections reportedly included the prison’s administrative building, part of which was described as damaged or destroyed. Other areas cited were the infirmary or medical centre, the engineering building, the judicial affairs section, and critically, the visitation hall and visiting rooms. The report indicated that some visiting family members were among those killed or injured specifically in the visitation area.
Following the strike, Iranian authorities reported transferring remaining detainees from Evin to other correctional facilities located throughout Tehran province. While some injured individuals reportedly received immediate treatment on-site, others required transport to local hospitals.
Evin Prison’s Significance and Targeting Debate
Evin Prison is a name synonymous with the Iranian regime’s approach to dissent. Located in northern Tehran, it is a large, heavily fortified complex widely known for housing political prisoners, journalists, human rights advocates, and foreign nationals. As such, it is often viewed domestically and internationally as a potent symbol of Iran’s ruling establishment and its mechanisms of state repression. Notable figures previously held at Evin include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
Israel’s Defense Ministry stated on the day of the strike, June 23, that its forces were targeting “regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.” While this general description could potentially encompass a facility like Evin, the specific strategic reason for targeting a prison holding a mix of inmates and civilians remains unclear based on public statements. Some analysts have suggested the strike could represent an expansion of Israel’s targets to include symbolic elements of the Iranian regime beyond traditional military or nuclear sites, or perhaps aimed at specific individuals or functions within the prison administration.
A particularly notable casualty confirmed by Iran was top prosecutor Ali Ghanaatkar. He was among the 71 reported dead and is known for his role in prosecuting numerous dissidents, including Narges Mohammadi. His prosecution record had drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups. Ghanaatkar was reportedly among about 60 people for whom a public funeral procession was held in Tehran following the attack.
Broader Conflict Context and Humanitarian Concerns
The reported strike on Evin Prison occurred towards the end of a intense 12-day period of hostilities that significantly escalated tensions between Israel and Iran. This exchange began around June 13 when Israel launched extensive strikes inside Iran, stating its aim was to dismantle the country’s nuclear program. Israel claimed to have targeted numerous nuclear-related facilities and military infrastructure sites, reporting the deaths of Iranian commanders and nuclear scientists.
Iran subsequently retaliated by firing a large number of ballistic missiles towards Israel. While most were reportedly intercepted, some projectiles caused damage and resulted in fatalities. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group estimated that the entire 12-day conflict resulted in over 1,000 deaths across both sides, including a substantial number of civilians. The strike on Evin prison, with its high civilian casualties including visitors and neighbors, highlights the devastating human cost incurred as the conflict intensified.
The incident at Evin Prison has drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations. The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran voiced strong concerns, arguing that Israel’s strike on the prison potentially violated the principle of distinction under international humanitarian law. This fundamental principle requires warring parties to differentiate between civilian and military targets and avoid attacking civilians or civilian objects.
Simultaneously, the human rights group also criticized Iranian authorities. They asserted that Iran held a legal obligation to protect the prisoners in its custody. The group specifically slammed Iranian authorities for their alleged “failure to evacuate, provide medical assistance or inform families” adequately following the attack, suggesting a failure to uphold their duty of care towards the prison population and visitors during a period of bombardment.
News of the reported strike and its severe casualty count was partially overshadowed on the same day by subsequent events. These included an Iranian attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, which reportedly caused no casualties, and the eventual announcement that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran would take effect the following day, June 24. Despite the ceasefire, senior Iranian military figures, such as Armed Forces Chief of Staff Abdolrahim Mousavi, expressed skepticism regarding Israel’s commitment to upholding the agreement, stating Iran remained ready to respond forcefully if attacked again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Evin Prison in Tehran on June 23, 2025?
Iran’s judiciary reported that an Israeli strike on Evin Prison in Tehran on June 23, 2025, killed 71 people. According to spokesperson Asghar Jahangir, the casualties included prison staff, inmates, conscripted soldiers, visiting family members, and nearby residents. The strike reportedly hit several areas within the prison, such as the administrative building, medical centre, and visitation hall, causing significant damage and fatalities. The information provided by Iranian authorities has not been independently verified.
Why did Israel reportedly target Evin Prison?
Israel stated on the day of the strike that it was targeting “regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran.” Evin Prison is known as a central facility for holding political prisoners and dissidents, making it a symbol of state repression. While the specific reason for targeting the prison remains publicly unclear, it could have been aimed at symbolic infrastructure, specific individuals within the administration, or as part of broader operations against facilities seen as integral to the Iranian regime’s control apparatus.
How does the Evin Prison strike fit into the recent Iran-Israel conflict?
The reported strike occurred on June 23, just before a ceasefire took effect, placing it near the end of a roughly 12-day period of intense exchanges between Israel and Iran. This conflict began with Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, followed by Iranian missile retaliation against Israel. The Evin prison incident, with its high claimed civilian casualty count, highlights the widening scope and devastating impact of the hostilities, drawing criticism from human rights groups regarding adherence to international law.
The high death toll claimed by Iran, coupled with the target’s status as a facility holding political prisoners and its symbolic significance, underscores the severity of the incident. As tensions persist in the region, the unverified reports from Evin Prison serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. The full picture of events on June 23, 2025, and the precise circumstances of the casualties, await potential future clarification or independent investigation.
