Israel hits Iran's Evin prison, says strikes on Tehran are biggest yet

Israel targeted Evin prison in Tehran on Monday, in what Israel called the most intense bombing yet of the Iranian capital, a day after the US joined the war by blasting nuclear sites.

Iran repeated earlier threats to retaliate against the US. But it had yet to do so more than 24 hours after US bombers dropped 30,000 pound bunker-busters on its underground nuclear sites.

The Mizan news outlet of Iran's judiciary confirmed that the prison had been hit. It said part of the building was damaged but the situation was under control.

A video posted by Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar on X showed an explosion at a building with a sign identifying it as an entrance to Evin prison in northern Tehran and the accompanying words. Reuters could not immediately verify the video.

Evin has been the primary prison for housing political detainees and security prisoners. It is where several high-profile foreign prisoners are also held.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz made clear that Israel was no longer limiting its attacks to its initial stated targets such as Iran's nuclear programme and missiles, and would go after the Tehran government's ability to maintain power. "The IDF is currently striking, with unprecedented force, regime targets and governmental repression bodies in the heart of Tehran," he 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.

Oil prices barely budged on the first trading day after the US joined the war, suggesting traders doubted Iran would follow through on threats to disrupt oil supplies from the Gulf.