Israel has launched its most intense strikes yet on Iran, bombing the infamous Evin prison in northern Tehran on Monday. The prison, known for housing political prisoners and foreign detainees, was among several high-profile targets hit as the regional war escalated following U.S. involvement over the weekend.
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the Israeli military also targeted Revolutionary Guard command centers and repression-linked facilities across Tehran. The airstrikes triggered widespread blackouts in parts of the capital, including in the Evin neighborhood, according to local reports. The attacks followed ten days of Israeli bombing, which has led to a mass exodus from the city.
Iran responded with strong words. Deputy Foreign Minister Saeed Khatibzadeh declared Iran’s resolve to fight “as long as necessary,” comparing the current conflict to the prolonged Iran-Iraq war. Meanwhile, Iran also confirmed new missile attacks on Israel, prompting air raid sirens across central and southern parts of the country, including Jerusalem.
The conflict widened further as Yemen officially joined the war against the United States and Israel. At the same time, Israel struck six airports across Iran, destroying 15 aircraft and damaging airbase infrastructure, reportedly crippling parts of Iran’s air force.
As international alarm grows, Pope Leo XIV issued a global plea for peace, while protests erupted across the U.S. against the war. ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) condemned the U.S. strikes as illegal, urging a return to diplomacy to prevent an uncontrollable escalation that now threatens the entire region.