Israel’s strike on Evin prison kills dozens, Iran confirms

Israel’s bold strike on Tehran’s notorious Evin prison has left Iran reeling. On June 23, 2025, the attack killed at least 71 people, including staff, soldiers, prisoners, and visitors, exposing the regime’s vulnerabilities. This isn’t just a military flex—it’s a message to Tehran’s elite.

The strike, part of Israel’s 12-day campaign against Iranian regime targets, leveled parts of Evin prison, a symbol of the ayatollahs’ iron grip. It also claimed the life of top prosecutor Ali Ghanaatkar, a man whose persecution of dissidents like Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi made him a human rights pariah. Iran admitted the attack’s toll on Sunday, confirming the chaos.

Evin, long a dungeon for political prisoners, was hit hard, with its office building visibly damaged by June 29. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists in Iran reported 35 staff and two inmates among the dead, alongside a passerby and a woman visiting her jailed husband. No casualty breakdown was offered by Iran’s tight-lipped officials.

Israel Targets Tehran’s Core

Israel’s Defense Ministry called the strike a direct hit on “regime targets and government repression bodies.” The attack was one piece of a broader assault that Israel claims killed 30 Iranian commanders and 11 nuclear scientists. That’s a body count meant to make Tehran’s mullahs sweat.

Iran’s judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir, said some injured were treated on-site, while others were rushed to hospitals. No injury figures were shared, leaving the full scope of the devastation murky. Transparency isn’t exactly Iran’s strong suit.

The strike’s ripple effects are still unclear, especially on Iran’s nuclear ambitions. President Donald Trump boasted on June 22 that American strikes “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Nice try, but the facts suggest otherwise.

Nuclear Program Still Kicking

Rafael Grossi, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency, threw cold water on Trump’s claim. “It is clear that there has been severe damage, but it’s not total damage,” Grossi said. He’s right—Tehran’s nuclear dreams aren’t dead yet, just bruised.

Grossi added, “Iran has the capacities there, industrial and technological capacities.” That’s a polite way of saying Iran could be spinning enriched uranium again in months. So much for “obliterated.”

New satellite imagery shows activity at Iran’s Fordow nuclear complex post-strikes. Grossi noted that without IAEA inspectors—blocked by Iran—the full damage to their nuclear program is anyone’s guess. Tehran’s secrecy only fuels suspicion.

Evin’s Dark Legacy Exposed

Evin prison isn’t just a jail; it’s a torture chamber for dissidents who dare challenge the regime. The strike’s collateral damage—a woman visiting her husband, a random pedestrian—highlights the human cost of Israel’s precision. War’s messy, and innocents often pay the price.

Ali Ghanaatkar’s death is a footnote that won’t garner much sympathy. His ruthless prosecution of activists like Mohammadi earned him global scorn. Good riddance, but his absence won’t dismantle Iran’s oppressive machine.

Israel’s 12-day campaign hit eight nuclear-related facilities and over 720 military sites. That’s a staggering blow to Iran’s infrastructure, even if the nuclear program limps on. The ayatollahs must be rethinking their bravado.

Tehran’s Defiance Under Fire

Iran’s refusal to let IAEA inspectors in speaks volumes. They’re hiding something—probably centrifuges humming away in secret bunkers. Grossi’s warning about Iran’s industrial capacity should keep Western leaders up at night.

The strike on Evin was a gut punch to Iran’s regime, but don’t expect them to wave a white flag. Tehran’s leaders thrive on defiance, even as their prisons burn and their nuclear sites smolder. Resilience or arrogance? You decide.

Israel’s message is clear: no regime stronghold is safe. The Evin strike, paired with hits on nuclear and military sites, puts Iran on notice. But with Iran’s nuclear program still alive, this fight is far from over.