An Israeli strike on Tehran’s Evin Prison kills 71, sparking outrage, grief, and global fears of wider war as Iran vows revenge for the deadly attack.
What was the Israeli strike?
On June 23, 2025, an Israeli strike hit the well-known Evin Prison. This prison is in Tehran, the capital of Iran. It is not a military base. It is a jail that holds thousands of prisoners. Many are political prisoners. Some are even foreign visitors accused of spying.
The Israeli strike destroyed part of the prison. The walls fell down. Many people were trapped. Rescuers pulled bodies out for many hours.
Who died in this Israeli strike?
Iran’s officials say the Israeli strike killed many different people:
Prison workers who came to do their daily jobs
Young soldiers doing their one-year military service
Prisoners, some locked up for protests or for writing against the government
Families who were visiting their loved ones
People who lived close to the prison walls
One Iranian report said 17 were prison staff. Another 23 were prisoners. Nine were family visitors. Ten were people who lived in nearby homes. This shows how the Israeli strike hit more than just guards or officials.
Why did Israel attack Evin Prison?
Israel has not given a clear reason. Some in Israel say Iran may hide weapons or secret papers inside Evin. But there is no solid proof shown to the public.
Most human rights groups say Evin is not a military place. They say this Israeli strike broke international law. A prison full of regular prisoners and their families should not be a target.
What did Iran say about the Israeli strike?
Iran’s leaders were very angry. They said the Israeli strike was a crime. Iran’s president visited the prison the next day. He promised that Israel would “pay a heavy price.” Many people in Iran, even those who do not like their own leaders, were upset by the Israeli strike. They saw it as a cruel attack on normal people.
How did other countries react?
The United Nations spoke out. They said the Israeli strike on a prison could be a war crime. France and Germany also criticized Israel. They were worried because two French people were being held in Evin. Reports said they were hurt in the Israeli strike.
Human rights groups asked for a full investigation. They want to see if Israel broke war rules by attacking a place with civilians.
A prison with a dark past
Evin Prison is famous for sad reasons. It is known as a place where Iran locks up people who disagree with the government. Many journalists, students, and even tourists have spent time there. Some say they were tortured or kept alone for weeks.
Because of this, Evin is already a painful place for many Iranians. The Israeli strike has made it even more tragic. Now it is a symbol of how innocent people can get hurt in wars.
Stories of the people hurt by the Israeli strike
News reports told many sad stories:
A young woman came to see her brother in prison. She died with her little boy in the Israeli strike.
A cook in the prison kitchen was killed. His family found him two days later.
A 19-year-old guard was also killed. He had just started working there two weeks ago.
These stories show that the Israeli strike did not only hurt soldiers. It mostly hurt everyday people.
Israel’s reason for the strike
Israel only said it would keep hitting places in Iran that are “a danger to Israeli security.” It did not explain why it chose Evin Prison.
Some experts on Israeli TV said maybe there was a secret meeting inside the prison. But without proof, many around the world see this Israeli strike as a big mistake.
The bigger war
This Israeli strike happened during heavy fighting. For two weeks, Israel and Iran had been attacking each other. Israel hit missile sites and nuclear centers. Iran fired rockets and drones back at Israeli cities.
Still, bombing a prison shocked many people. Some experts now think Iran will want to strike back at places in Israel that also have civilians.
What might happen next?
Iran’s leaders say they will not forget this Israeli strike. They promise to take revenge. People fear Iran might now target places in Israel where families live. That would make the war even worse.
Meanwhile, other countries like the U.S. and Russia are telling both sides to stop. They worry that if the fighting grows, it could pull in more nations.
Could this stop peace talks?
Before the Israeli strike, there were quiet talks. Some hoped Iran and Israel might agree to slow down. Now Iran says it no longer trusts any talks. This Israeli strike has made everything harder.
But some leaders are still trying. They know most people in Israel and Iran do not want a long war. They just want to live in peace.
What are human rights groups asking for?
Groups like Amnesty International say this Israeli strike must be looked into by an independent team. They want to know:
Was there really a military target inside the prison?
Did Israel try to warn people or avoid hurting them?
How many innocent people died?
They say without answers, wars will just keep breaking rules. More innocent people could die.
Why the Israeli strike matters for everyone
This Israeli strike is not just about Israel and Iran. It shows how modern wars can reach places you would not expect. A prison full of young guards, cooks, visitors, and prisoners was suddenly destroyed.
It reminds the world that war is often worst for those with no power. Many people far from Iran or Israel feel sad or scared after hearing about the Israeli strike.
Evin Prison now
Today, Evin is partly in ruins. Families are still burying their loved ones. The government has started rebuilding the walls. New murals show the prison after the Israeli strike, with words calling for revenge.
This means the strike may live on in Iranian minds for many years. It could change how they see Israel for a long time.
FAQs
1. Why did Israel attack Evin Prison?
Israel said it will hit any place that threatens its safety. But it did not give clear proof why Evin Prison was chosen.
2. Was the Israeli strike against the rules of war?
Maybe. Human rights experts say hitting a prison with so many civilians could be a war crime. The UN is very worried.
3. How many people died in the Israeli strike?
At least 71 people. This includes staff, soldiers, prisoners, visiting families, and neighbors.
4. Will Iran strike back?
Most likely. Iran’s leaders promised to take revenge. This could mean new attacks on places inside Israel.
5. Can peace talks still happen?
It will be hard. Iran says it no longer trusts talking. But many people hope leaders can still find a way to stop more fighting.
The heavy cost of this:
In the end, the strike on Evin Prison is a sad lesson. It shows how quickly war can reach into places that should be safe. Prisons, homes, schools — none are truly safe in modern conflicts.
The people who died in this strike were not on a battlefield. They were visiting family, cooking meals, doing paperwork, or serving short military posts. Now their families mourn them.
This is why many around the world say wars must follow rules. Without them, tragedies like this strike will keep happening, leaving more innocent people dead.