Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran on Monday, one of the most potent symbols of Iran’s governing system, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the United States joined the war by blasting nuclear sites.
Iran repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States. But it had yet to so in a meaningful way more than 24 hours after US. bombers dropped 30,000 pound bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites, while US President Donald Trump openly mused about overthrowing the Iranian government.
The Israeli military says it has struck Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.Credit: Twitter
Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the U.S. joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf.
The Mizan news outlet of Iran’s judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control.
A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words: “Viva la libertad!” – Spanish for ‘Long live liberty.’ Reuters could not immediately verify the video.
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Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran’s 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition. It is where several high-profile foreign prisoners are also held.
Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a Melbourne-based scholar of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies was held in solitary confinement at the prison following her arrest in 2018. Moore-Gilbert, who was sentenced to 10 years on trumped-up charges of espionage after attending a conference, returned to Australia following a prisoner swap in November 2020.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran’s nuclear programme and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government’s ability to maintain power.
