• Iranian judiciary confirms 71 fatalities from Israeli strike on Evin Prison.
• Casualties include staff, inmates, and relatives visiting the facility.
• Airstrike occurred just before a ceasefire took effect after 12 days of conflict.

Iran's judiciary reported that an Israeli attack on Evin Prison in Tehran on June 23 resulted in the deaths of 71 people, as confirmed by spokesperson Asghar Jahangir. The strike targeted a facility known for housing political prisoners and foreign nationals, indicating a strategic shift in Israeli airstrikes towards non-military sites. The attack came amidst a broader military campaign that has claimed significant casualties on both sides during a recent 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, which escalated on June 13.

The victims identified included administrative staff, guards, detainees, and family members visiting inmates, alongside nearby civilians. Jahangir stated, “In the attack on Evin prison, 71 people were martyred,” stressing the impact on civilians, many of whom were caught in the vicinity during the airstrike, according to multiple sources including Channel News Asia, Dawn, TRT Global, and Los Angeles Times.

The airstrike led to extensive damage within the prison complex, including the administrative building, medical center, and visitation areas as reported in multiple outlets including Africa News and Huff Post. Rights organizations have raised concerns over the welfare of remaining detainees, prompting Iranian authorities to transfer inmates to other facilities in Tehran.

International reactions have intensified, with France's Foreign Minister condemning the strike as hazardous to its citizens detained in the facility. As both Israel and Iran adhered to a ceasefire agreement, Iranian officials expressed skepticism about the truce's longevity, with the Iranian military indicating readiness for potential further conflict, as emphasized by Iran’s chief of staff, Abdolrahim Mousavi, according to South China Morning Post and The Hill.