Target Evin: Why Israeli Strike On Notorious Jail, Used For 'Hostage Diplomacy' By Iran, Is Significant

Last Updated:June 23, 2025, 17:12 IST

Local media in Iran reported that the Israeli strike targeted Evin prison's guard towers, administrative section, and courtroom in Tehran

This handout satellite image released by Maxar Technologies shows Iran's Evin prison complex in Tehran. (Image: AFP/File)

Israel’s strike on Iran’s notorious Evin prison is a significant move, amid the raging conflict between the two longtime foes.

A suspected Israeli airstrike hit the Evin prison in Tehran on Monday. The local media speculated that the strike may be from a drone. Their reports shared black-and-white surveillance footage of the strike. 

According to the reports, the Israeli strike targeted Evin prison’s guard towers, administrative section, and courtroom. 

WHAT IS THE EVIN PRISON?

Evin prison is known for holding dual nationals and westerners often used by Iran as bargaining chips in negotiations with the West.

The prison has specialised units for political prisoners and those with western ties, run by the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, which answers only to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The facility is the target of both US and European Union sanctions.

SIMILAR TO ‘KALA PANI’ USED BY BRITISH IN INDIA?

Evin prison has claimed the lives of many Iranians, with many more held there. This attack is symbolic and tactical, aimed at humiliating Iran’s regime and will disrupt its narrative of control and weaken its tools of repression, sources told News18.

The sources said the prison has been a crucial asset in Iran’s “hostage diplomacy", similar to how the British used ‘Kala Pani’ in India. This prison holds dual nationals like Ahmadreza Djalali and Cécile Kohler, who are potential bargaining chips with the West. 

They said it is infamous for human rights abuses, and this attack exposes Iran’s brutality. Local media suggested that the attack shows a breakdown of Iran’s internal control mechanisms under pressure and highlights humanitarian failures, such as the lack of bomb shelters for prisoners. The attack portrays Iran as reckless and criminal in the eyes of its citizens and international observers, they added.

WHO ARE THE PROMINENT PRISONERS AT EVIN?

1. Ahmadreza Djalali: Iranian-Swedish disaster medicine expert, accused of espionage
2. Cécile Kohler: French teacher, detained on charges of espionage
3. Reza Khandan: Husband of Nobel laureate Nasrin Sotoudeh, human rights activist
4. Morad Tahbaz: Iranian-American environmentalist, triple national
5. Nahid Taghavi: German-Iranian women’s rights activist

Manoj Gupta

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18

Location :

Tehran, Iran

First Published:

News world Target Evin: Why Israeli Strike On Notorious Jail, Used For 'Hostage Diplomacy' By Iran, Is Significant