Aussie academic's defiant demand after gates of notorious Iranian prison where she was held for more than two years are blown up by Israel
Israeli weapons struck Evin prison in northern Tehran on Monday - a potent symbol of Iran 's governing system - in what Israel called its most intense bombing of Tehran yet, a day after the United States hit three nuclear sites in the country.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert was held in the prison from September 2018 to November 2020 after she was arrested by the intelligence arm of the Islamic Revolutionary guard when she tried to fly out of the country after a short conference she had attended.
Evin prison is renowned for holding political prisoners, dual nationals and foreigners who could be used as bargaining chips in negotiations by its government.
'If (this was) intentional and not a missile gone astray, hitting the gates of Evin prison would be a hugely symbolic act,' Moore-Gilbert said.
'Unlikely any prisoners would be able to escape if just the gates have been taken out, as there are multiple other gates, checkpoints and locked doors beyond that.
'I am thinking of the many thousands of prisoners inside, who must be terrified and with little information about what's going on.
'Iran should release all political prisoners immediately and enable them to shelter somewhere safe, although that will almost certainly be expecting too much.'
Iran has repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the United States after it partnered with Israel to strike Iran on Sunday.
US bombers dropped bunker-buster bombs on Iran's underground nuclear sites, and President Donald Trump has since mused about overthrowing its government.
Iran's IRIB state broadcaster released video showing rescue workers combing flattened wreckage of Evin prison, carrying a wounded man on a stretcher.
The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary said urgent action was being taken to protect the health and safety of inmates.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar posted a video on X showing an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to the prison.
'Viva la libertad!' Saar wrote.
Reuters could not immediately verify the video posted by Saar, although other videos showing the aftermath were verified as genuine.
Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners, notably since Iran's 1979 revolution, and the site of executions that remain potent symbols for the opposition.
It is where several high-profile foreign prisoners are also held.
Israel 's military said Israel had also struck Revolutionary Guard command centers responsible for internal security in the Tehran area.
'The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran,' Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement.
There were conflicting reports on Iranian media about the full extent of strikes on Tehran, a city of 10 million people where much of the population has fled after 10 days of bombing.
Tasnim news agency reported a strike at an electricity feeder station in the Evin neighbourhood. Power company Tavanir reported some areas in the capital saw electricity cuts.
Iran's student news network reported that Shahid Beheshti University, one of the main universities in Tehran, had also been hit. The university's public relations office denied it.
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