The Israeli government has launched a series of strikes targeting Iranian governmental locations in Tehran, notably including Evin Prison, which is infamous for detaining political prisoners, journalists, and activists who are often leveraged in negotiations with Western nations.
Among the notable former inmates of Evin is Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, an Australian academic specialising in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies, who endured a two-year imprisonment from 2018 until her release in 2020, facilitated through a prisoner exchange involving the Australian government.
Post-strike, Iranian state television released footage purportedly filmed inside Evin Prison, showing a situation deemed under control. However, the Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre for Human Rights in Iran has reported widespread concern among the families of detainees regarding the status and wellbeing of their loved ones following the attacks.
Israeli strikes also targeted additional significant sites, including the security command posts of the Revolutionary Guards, Palestine Square, and the Basij volunteer corps, which operates under the Revolutionary Guards’ umbrella. The Israeli government has stated that these operations were explicitly aimed at the Iranian leadership structure.
In response to the assaults, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, expressed support for the actions taken, illustrating the operation’s intent with the statement “Viva la libertad!” alongside visuals of the Evin Prison strike. Dr Moore-Gilbert also shared her thoughts on social media, reflecting on the disbelief felt by former prisoners at the unfolding events.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot condemned the strikes, emphasising that they posed a risk to French citizens Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been incarcerated for three years. He labelled the actions as unacceptable and called for an immediate cessation of strikes, advocating for the necessity of diplomatic negotiations.
These developments illustrate a significant escalation in tensions within the region, highlighting concerns over the safety of prisoners and the broader implications for international diplomacy.