The Israeli military has warned it will continue targeting military facilities in and around Tehran, expanding its focus to include symbolic locations. The warning was issued on the social platform X, even as many Iranians remain cut off from global communications due to a nationwide internet shutdown.
One of the latest Israeli strikes in Tehran hit the headquarters of a military force involved in suppressing recent protests, as well as blowing open a gate at Evin Prison — a notorious facility known for detaining political prisoners, dual nationals, and Westerners often used as leverage in negotiations with the West. Iranian state TV aired black-and-white surveillance footage purportedly showing the strike.
Evin Prison is also home to specialized Revolutionary Guard-run units for political detainees. The paramilitary Guard operates independently under the authority of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The facility is currently under U.S. and European Union sanctions.
While there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage, concerns persist. Iranian state TV claimed conditions in the prison were under control, but the Washington-based Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights reported that many detainees’ families are deeply worried about their loved ones’ safety.
An Israeli official, speaking anonymously, said the strikes are designed to pressure Iran’s leadership rather than provoke regime change.
Additionally, the Israeli military confirmed it targeted roads near Iran’s Fordo nuclear enrichment site in an effort to limit access. Fordo was previously struck by U.S. forces in a Sunday raid that reportedly employed advanced bunker-buster bombs. In Vienna, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog said he anticipates significant damage at the site as a result of that U.S. strike.
Iran presses on attacking Israel
Iran said its Monday attacks targeted the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television.
Explosions were also heard in Jerusalem, possibly from air defense systems in action, and Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency rescue service said there had been no reports of injuries.
In Israel, at least 24 people have been killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the war. Israeli strikes on Iran have killed at least 950 people and wounded 3,450 others, according to the Washington-based group Human Rights Activists.
The group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from Iranian unrest such as the protests surrounding the death of Masha Amini in 2022, said of those killed, it identified 380 civilians and 253 security force personnel.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who leads one of Iran’s closest allies, said Monday after meeting in Moscow with the Iranian foreign minister that they had explored “how we can get out of today’s situation.”
Putin called the Israeli and American attacks on Iran an “absolutely unprovoked aggression.”
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Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Josef Federman in Jerusalem, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Abby Sewell in Beirut, Elise Morton in London, Geir Moulson in Berlin, Ella Joyner in Brussels and Stephanie Liechtenstein in Vienna contributed to this report.
