Inside Israel’s Strike on Iran’s Evin Prison: ‘I Thought It Was the End of My Life’ is a story of survival, devastation, and political controversy. On June 23, 2025, Israeli airstrikes targeted Evin Prison in Tehran, a site notorious for holding political dissidents, activists, and dual nationals. The attack left families torn apart, survivors traumatized, and the international community questioning the legality of such an operation
The Strike
Evin Prison, a sprawling 43-hectare complex in Tehran’s northern district, has long been infamous as Iran’s central hub for political prisoners. When Israeli jets struck the prison, multiple sections were hit, including:
- The main entrance and gate.
- Prison visitation halls filled with families.
- The medical clinic.
- Administrative offices.
- Several prisoner wards.
The timing of the strike made it particularly devastating: it occurred during visiting hours, when the prison was filled with not only inmates but also their loved ones, doctors, lawyers, and staff.
Survivors described a scene of chaos—walls collapsing, fire consuming rooms, and people running through thick smoke. The ground shook as windows shattered, leaving many injured from falling debris.
Casualties
Reports indicate between 71 and 80 people were killed in the attack. The dead included:
Prison staff and guards.
Inmates, many of them political prisoners.
Visiting family members, including a child.
Lawyers and medical workers.
Nearby residents caught in the blast.
Among the victims was Ali Ghanaatkar, a high-ranking Iranian prosecutor. The attack not only devastated families but also robbed communities of key professionals who had been serving inmates.
Dozens more were severely injured, with many requiring urgent medical care that was difficult to access in the aftermath of the strike.
Survivor Stories
The attack left many survivors traumatized. Their testimonies shed light on the human cost.
One dissident prisoner, Sayeh Seydal, said she narrowly escaped death after leaving the medical clinic just moments before it was destroyed. Later, she described post-war conditions in Iranian prisons as “literally a slow death.”
Another survivor recalled: “The explosion was deafening. I thought it was the end of my life. People screamed everywhere. Some were trapped under the rubble, and we could hear them crying out for help.”
Families outside the gates panicked as the prison shook. Many tried to rush inside, but guards held them back. Parents and spouses spent hours not knowing if their loved ones had survived.
Families in Anguish
The prison’s iconic front gate, long seen as a symbol of oppression, was reduced to rubble. Families who had gathered for visitation were thrown into chaos. Some discovered only days later that their relatives had died inside.
Others waited endlessly for news, clinging to hope. Mothers stood outside in tears, calling the names of their children. The lack of clear communication from authorities deepened the pain, as families faced uncertainty and grief.
Human Rights Concerns
Human rights organizations immediately raised alarms. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International both declared the attack an apparent war crime, citing the lack of a military target within the prison.
International law protects civilian structures unless they are being used for military purposes. With Evin functioning as a prison and medical hub at the time, the strike was seen as a violation of these protections.
The deliberate targeting of a prison filled with civilians, they argued, could not be justified under the rules of war.
Global Reaction
The global response was swift:
Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi, once imprisoned in Evin herself, described the strike as a war crime and a tragedy for both prisoners and their families.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a former detainee, called the attack a reckless act that endangered innocent lives rather than advancing justice.
The French government condemned the strike, expressing concern for French nationals detained inside Evin at the time.
The United Nations urged an immediate investigation, stressing that civilian lives must never be targeted.
This chorus of voices reflected not only humanitarian concern but also outrage at the political message the strike seemed to send.
The Aftermath
In the weeks following the strike, Iranian authorities scrambled to manage the chaos. About 600 inmates were transferred back to partially rebuilt sections of Evin. Survivors described the rebuilt wards as “dark dungeons,” unsafe and inhumane.
Others were sent to overcrowded prisons like Qarchak and Fashafouyeh. Conditions there were dire: poor sanitation, inadequate medical care, and severe overcrowding created an environment of suffering.
At the same time, the Iranian government intensified repression. At least six prisoners were executed in the immediate aftermath, while arrests of activists and dissidents increased. Families feared a repeat of past mass executions that followed moments of political upheaval in Iran.
Symbolism of the Strike
Why Evin? For Israel, the strike was symbolic. Evin Prison is not just any detention center—it has been the heart of Iran’s system of political repression for decades.
By targeting it, Israeli officials sought to send a message: the very structures of Iran’s regime would not be spared.
But this symbolism came with a heavy human cost. Critics argued that the attack played into the hands of Iranian hardliners, allowing them to justify even harsher crackdowns. Instead of weakening the regime, it strengthened its grip on society.
Expert Perspectives
Michael Page, Human Rights Watch: “This attack killed and injured scores of civilians without any evidence of a military target. It is an apparent war crime that must be investigated.”
Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International: “The deliberate targeting of civilian facilities such as prisons must be investigated and prosecuted under international law.”
Former detainees: Many argued that freedom for political prisoners can only come through diplomacy and human rights advocacy—not military strikes.
FAQs
When did the strike on Evin Prison happen?
The strike took place on June 23, 2025.
How many people were killed?
Between 71 and 80 people were reported dead, including staff, inmates, visitors, and civilians.
Was there a military target inside the prison?
No credible evidence has shown that military assets were present at the time of the strike.
Why is Evin Prison significant?
Evin is infamous for housing political prisoners, journalists, activists, and dual nationals. It symbolizes political repression in Iran.
What happened after the strike?
Hundreds of prisoners were relocated to overcrowded facilities or unsafe rebuilt wards. Families reported worsening conditions and heightened repression.
Conclusion
Inside Israel’s Strike on Iran’s Evin Prison: ‘I Thought It Was the End of My Life’ is more than a headline. It is the story of human suffering, political symbolism, and international outrage.
The strike left behind rubble, broken families, and survivors haunted by trauma. Evin Prison has long been a place of repression, but striking it during visiting hours turned that symbol into a mass grave.
In every war, the human cost is often hidden behind politics and strategy. But the voices of survivors—crying, whispering, and remembering—remind us that justice cannot come from destruction.
