Tehran, June 29, 2025: At least 71 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Evin Prison in Tehran on June 23, according to Iranian judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir, who provided the official toll on Sunday.
The attack, which came at the conclusion of a brief but intense air conflict between Iran and Israel, marked a significant escalation as Israel appeared to expand its targets beyond military and nuclear infrastructure to strike at symbols of Iran’s political and judicial system.
“In the attack on Evin Prison, 71 people were martyred, including administrative staff, conscripts fulfilling their military service, detainees, visiting family members, and nearby residents,” Jahangir said, as reported by Mizan, the judiciary’s official news outlet.
Earlier, Iranian authorities had confirmed partial destruction of the prison’s administrative wing and casualties among both inmates and staff. The judiciary further noted that remaining detainees have been relocated to other prisons within Tehran province.
Evin Prison, widely known for housing political prisoners, activists, and dual nationals, has long been a symbol of Iran’s state repression. The facility also held a number of foreign nationals, including two French citizens, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, detained since 2022.
Following the attack, France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot condemned the strike, saying on social media platform X, “The strike targeting Evin Prison in Tehran put our citizens Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris in danger. It is unacceptable.”
The Israeli government has not officially commented on the strike. However, analysts suggest that the targeting of Evin Prison represents a strategic shift in Israeli operations, signaling an intent to apply psychological and symbolic pressure on Iran’s leadership.
The full impact of the airstrike — politically and diplomatically — is still unfolding, with international concern growing over the safety of detainees and potential violations of international law.
