Following an Israeli military strike on Evin Prison, Iranian authorities announced that 71 individuals, including political prisoners, were killed. This incident heightens fears for the safety of detainees and underscores the escalating tensions in the region.
Israel's Attack on Evin Prison Claims 71 Lives Amid Ongoing Tensions
Israel's Attack on Evin Prison Claims 71 Lives Amid Ongoing Tensions
Iranian officials report significant casualties in a military strike against a prison housing political dissidents.
In a stark development reported on June 29, Iranian state media revealed that a recent attack on Tehran’s infamous Evin Prison by Israeli forces resulted in the deaths of 71 individuals. Among those confirmed dead are political prisoners, including opposition leaders, activists, attorneys, journalists, and students, as confirmed by Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for Iran's judiciary. This death toll includes detainees, prison staff, and visiting relatives, though Jahangir did not divulge specific names, prompting concern for those families who remain in the dark about the fate of their loved ones after the June 23 strike.
While the Israeli Defense Ministry has opted not to comment on this incident, it’s worth noting that prior to the attack, Israel’s defense minister identified the prison as one of several military targets, which also included the headquarters of the Basij—a paramilitary group known for its harsh repression of dissent within Iran.
This assault follows a recent wider conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the U.S., and presents the embattled Iranian regime with a precarious choice ahead. Economically burdened and politically shaken, President Ebrahim Raisi has described the current scenario as “a golden opportunity for change.” As the nation stands at a critical juncture, experts are left to speculate how Iran will navigate the fallout from these military actions and the growing discontent among its populace.
