Human rights organizations, Human Rights Watch and the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, have warned that thousands of detainees in Iran, including political prisoners and children, face the risk of injury or death due to American and Israeli airstrikes, in addition to what the organizations describe as "atrocities" committed by Iranian authorities, such as mass executions.
The report indicated that some of the airstrikes that began on February 28 targeted areas near major prisons and detention centers, raising concerns about the safety of prisoners. Prisons such as Evin, Greater Tehran, Isfahan, Mahabad, and Zanjan have been affected by these strikes, with families of prisoners reporting dangerous conditions.
Details of the Incident
Reports have mentioned that the airstrikes targeted locations near Evin Prison, where the family of British detainees Lindsey and Freig Foreman reported shattered windows and falling ceiling parts in their detention wing. Relatives of prisoners in Zanjan Prison, where human rights defender Narges Mohammadi is held, reported that inmates heard the sounds of airstrikes amidst a state of panic.
On March 31, the Iranian Red Crescent Society announced the rescue of survivors from under the rubble after a strike targeted the "Hosseiniyeh Aazam" in Zanjan, near the central prison. Human rights organizations confirm that Mohammadi's health has deteriorated, as she is believed to have suffered a heart attack due to being denied medical care.
Background & Context
In the Kurdistan region, the Human Rights Network warned on March 13 about the fate of detainees amid escalating strikes on intelligence and security facilities, including the Shahr-e-Amfar base of the Revolutionary Guard. Human rights organizations have documented the use of this base as a secret detention center for political prisoners.
Human Rights Watch also reported that Israeli forces carried out an illegal strike on Evin Prison during the previous escalation in June 2025, resulting in the deaths and injuries of many prisoners and civilians. At that time, Iranian authorities ignored repeated calls from prisoners for temporary release or humanitarian leave.
Impact & Consequences
The two organizations reported that Iranian authorities continue to arrest opponents and carry out executions instead of releasing prisoners for humanitarian reasons. They called on UN member states to pressure for the release of arbitrarily detained individuals and to halt executions.
Since the beginning of the conflict, authorities have conducted widespread arrest campaigns that included tens of thousands of protesters, including children and human rights defenders, many of whom are held in secret facilities and subjected to enforced disappearance. The conditions in prisons have significantly deteriorated, with shortages of food, medicine, and medical care.
Regional Significance
These developments in Iran are a major concern for the Arab region, reflecting ongoing human rights violations amid political crises. The increase in executions in Iran may affect regional and international relations, increasing pressure on Arab governments to address human rights issues in their countries.
In conclusion, the conditions in Iranian prisons remain alarming, with rising risks to the lives of prisoners under the current circumstances. Urgent international action is required to protect these individuals and ensure their basic rights.