Food distribution and access to basic supplies have been disrupted in parts of Tehran’s Evin prison following US and Israeli airstrikes, with some detainees reporting they are surviving on limited bread and water, according to families who spoke to Iran International.
Relatives said prison wards have been locked down and some staff have left their posts as explosions from strikes in Tehran continue to be heard around the clock.
Families said food distribution and cooking supplies in the women’s ward and Ward 7 had been halted, leaving inmates with only small quantities of bread. The prison store has also been closed since the attacks began, preventing detainees from purchasing additional food.
Some prisoners who managed to contact relatives said they had access only to “dry bread and water,” raising concerns about how long supplies could last.
In a letter from Evin prison, jailed human rights activist Reza Khandan wrote that thousands of detainees were being held while facing the risk of ongoing bombardment and that many services inside prisons had been disrupted. He warned that continued conflict could lead to shortages of food rations and hygiene supplies.
Khandan said responsibility for the safety of prisoners lies with Iran’s judiciary and the prison organization.
A campaign supporting political prisoner Varisheh Moradi also called for the immediate release of detainees, particularly political prisoners, saying their safety could not be guaranteed under wartime conditions.
Separately, the United Nations has raised concerns about the situation inside Iran following the escalation of the conflict.
A spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said at least 787 people had been killed in Iran in the strikes, and expressed concern about civilian casualties, domestic repression, internet disruptions and the situation of political prisoners.
The UN also urged Iranian authorities to guarantee fundamental freedoms in line with international human rights law and called for the restoration of internet access, warning that communication outages could limit people’s access to vital safety information during wartime.
Evin prison in northern Tehran, known for holding political prisoners and activists, was hit during airstrikes on June 23 in last year’s 12-day war, damaging parts of the complex and raising concern about detainee safety.
Iran’s judiciary said at the time 71 people were killed, including guards, staff, inmates, visiting relatives, and nearby residents.
