Tehran confirms Israeli strike killed inmates but no spies targeted

Iran confirms no Israeli spies were harmed in Israel's airstrike on Evin Prison. The June 23 attack killed five inmates and over 70 people overall. A ceasefire followed on June 24.

Tehran: Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said that no Israeli spy was harmed in the Israeli airstrike on Iran’s Evin Prison in late June.

Jahangir made the remarks while responding to speculations that the June 23 attack on the high-security prison was intended to eliminate imprisoned Israeli spies, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Jahangir said five inmates were killed in the attack but stressed that no Israeli spies were harmed. He added that some victims were in prison for financial crimes.

The judiciary’s own news website, Mizanonline, quoted spokesman Asghar Jahangir as saying only that a “small number” of inmates were killed. He added that an “insignificant number of inmates” had also escaped and that authorities would soon bring them back into custody.

The Israeli attack killed over 70 people overall, including visiting family members, prison staff, inmates, and residents of nearby buildings.

Jahangir said that by attacking the prison, Israel sought to demonstrate that it had no respect for international law and to intimidate Iranian society and make people stop supporting the country.

On June 13, Israel launched major airstrikes on several areas in Iran, including nuclear and military sites, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists, and many civilians. Iran responded with multiple waves of missile and drone attacks on Israel, causing casualties and damages.

After 12 days of fighting, a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was reached on June 24.