Israel strikes Iranian prison, Fordo site, as Putin condemns US bombing

Israel strikes Iranian prison, Fordo site, as Putin condemns US bombing

Israel has launched a series of powerful airstrikes deep into the Iranian capital, Tehran, targeting what it described as “regime strongholds and repression institutions,” including the notorious Evin Prison, widely known for holding political prisoners.

In a statement on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it also bombed access routes leading to the Fordo nuclear facility, which had already sustained damage during earlier U.S. strikes.

The move, according to Israeli officials, was intended to block further access to the sensitive site. Among the other sites struck were command centers linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), including the headquarters of the Basij militia and the Alborz Corps, both critical to Iran’s internal security operations.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz defended the operation, describing it as a response to sustained Iranian missile attacks.

“We will continue to hit regime targets in the heart of the Islamic Republic until the threats stop,” he said.

Footage verified by BBC shows an explosion at the entrance of Evin Prison, confirming Israel’s account.

Iran’s judiciary later acknowledged the facility was struck, reporting damage but insisting that the situation remains under control. Iranian state media dismissed reports of chaos as “rumors spread by Mossad media.”

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Meanwhile, the IRGC claimed it had launched the “21st wave” of retaliatory missile and drone attacks, continuing its counteroffensive against both Israeli and American positions.

Satellite imagery from June 22 reveals what analysts believe to be fresh impact craters at the Fordo site, likely from U.S. bunker-busting munitions used in previous strikes.

However, nuclear experts caution that Iran’s enrichment capabilities may remain partially intact.

“It’s much better than expected,” said Sima Shine, a former Mossad official and Iran analyst, speaking on the U.S.-led attacks.

“But I doubt this is the end of the program. Iran likely has alternative sites or stockpiles hidden,” Shine said.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow, where he openly condemned the American strikes.

Speaking in a live televised broadcast, Putin labelled the attacks “unprovoked aggression” and reaffirmed Russia’s strategic support for Iran.

“I am very pleased you are in Moscow today. It gives us an opportunity to think together and find a way out of this dangerous escalation,” Putin told Araghchi.

The Iranian minister described the strikes by the U.S. and Israel as violations of international law.

He also reaffirmed the strength of Iran’s alliance with Russia, which he described as “strategic in nature.”

Israel strikes Iranian prison, Fordo site, as Putin condemns US bombing