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Week of June 23, 2025 | Iran Unfiltered is a digest tracking Iranian politics & society by the National Iranian American Council

* Israel’s Strike on Evin Prison: A Grave Violation of International Law [[link removed]]


* Iran Suspends Nuclear Oversight as U.S. Floats $30 Billion Deal: Diplomacy at a Crossroads [[link removed]]



Israel’s Strike on Evin Prison: A Grave Violation of International Law [[link removed]]
On Monday, June 24, 2025—just hours before a ceasefire between Iran and Israel was set to take effect—Israeli forces launched a missile attack on Evin Prison, Iran’s most well-known and notorious detention facility that has held political prisoners, dual nationals, and individuals held on national security charges . The strike marks a dangerous escalation and a clear violation of international humanitarian law, as it directly targeted a civilian prison housing hundreds of detainees.

According to credible sources, at least 36 individuals were killed in the bombing, including detainees, staff members, and visitors . The full casualty count remains unknown, as authorities have not released an official list, but the damage to key parts of the prison was extensive and deadly.

One of the missiles struck Ward 209, the high-security section of Evin Prison operated by the Ministry of Intelligence, which contains solitary confinement cells and holds individuals accused of espionage and other national security charges—including those allegedly connected to Israel . While the exact number of casualties in this ward has not been confirmed, sources suggest that it is virtually impossible for no one to have been killed, given the ward’s structure and the intensity of the blast.

Additional missiles hit the Shahid Moghaddas Prosecutor’s Office, the prison library, administrative offices, and visitation buildings, causing widespread destruction across the complex . Civilian infrastructure surrounding the prison, including nearby residential and judicial buildings, also suffered heavy damage.

In the aftermath of the strike, Iranian security authorities began relocating prisoners—including political detainees—to other prisons . Many of these facilities reportedly lack the basic infrastructure, medical services, and conditions that Evin provides, raising serious concerns about the health and safety of transferred inmates. Families of prisoners have struggled to get accurate information about their loved ones’ locations and well-being.

The intent behind targeting a civilian detention center remains deeply contested . Some initial claims suggested that Israel sought to undermine Iran’s internal stability by symbolically breaching the walls of its most notorious prison. However, given that missiles struck not only the perimeter but also critical internal areas such as Ward 209, that explanation is no longer convincing to many observers. In fact, rumors are spreading rapidly that the attack may have been designed to eliminate specific detainees—particularly those held on charges of spying for Israel—who may have possessed sensitive or compromising information. The targeting of Ward 209, in particular, has raised sharp questions over whether the purpose of the strike was not disruption, but deliberate silencing.

Despite the scale of the attack, Israeli authorities have yet to issue a statement addressing the targeting of Evin Prison . The deliberate bombing of a detention facility filled with vulnerable prisoners has drawn condemnation from human rights organizations, who argue it constitutes a serious breach of international law and a potential war crime. They are calling on the United Nations and the International Criminal Court to launch an independent investigation and ensure accountability for what may be one of the most egregious civilian-targeted attacks in the conflict.

Iran Suspends Nuclear Oversight as U.S. Floats $30 Billion Deal: Diplomacy at a Crossroads [[link removed]]
On June 23, 2025, just hours after a ceasefire was declared between Iran and Israel, the Iranian Parliament passed a bill titled “Suspension of Cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)” with 221 votes in favor, one abstention, and no opposition . The bill was later approved by the Guardian Council and formally delivered to the President for implementation. This legislative move followed a 12-day war in which Israeli and U.S. forces targeted and dealt severe damage to Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian lawmakers argued that a recent IAEA report had provided justification for these attacks.

The new law suspends all cooperation with the IAEA, including inspections, surveillance camera installations, and data reporting, unless Iran receives concrete guarantees for the protection of its nuclear facilities and scientific personnel . The government is obligated to withhold cooperation under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) until two key conditions are met:

1. Iran’s national sovereignty and the security of its nuclear infrastructure must be ensured under the UN Charter,
2. Iran’s right to enrich uranium domestically must be recognized.

Both conditions must be verified by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran and approved by the Supreme National Security Council . Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that Iran does not intend to develop nuclear weapons, but accused the IAEA of failing in its responsibilities and becoming a “political tool.”

In response, IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi requested an urgent meeting with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and called for the immediate resumption of inspections . Grossi emphasized that his top priority is redeploying inspectors to assess damage and verify the status of enriched uranium stockpiles, particularly at three key enrichment sites. Referencing a June 13 letter from Tehran, he noted Iran had taken “special measures” to safeguard its nuclear materials, suggesting that the reserves likely remain intact. Grossi also warned against Iran withdrawing from the NPT and stressed the importance of seizing the current diplomatic window.

Meanwhile, CNN reported that the Trump administration is considering a $30 billion incentive package to encourage Iran to return to diplomatic negotiations . The offer includes easing certain sanctions, unfreezing Iranian assets, and supporting a peaceful civilian nuclear program—conditioned on Iran committing to zero uranium enrichment. Though Iran has historically rejected such terms, the proposal has been discussed in private meetings between U.S. envoys and Gulf Arab partners. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held closed-door talks at the White House one day before U.S. airstrikes. According to officials, the financial support would come from regional allies like Qatar and the UAE, not directly from the U.S. government. Additional proposed incentives include partial sanctions relief and access to $6 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

One version of the plan envisions decommissioning Iran’s Fordow nuclear site and replacing it with a non-enrichment facility modeled after the UAE’s civilian program. Though still early, Qatar has played a central role in mediating both the ceasefire and ongoing diplomacy. U.S. officials including Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Witkoff have remained in contact with Iranian channels via intermediaries.

Witkoff told CNBC he believes Iran is showing signs of openness to a deal . However, Iranian spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that no official talks are scheduled, and Araghchi confirmed no negotiations have been planned, which matched CNN’s reporting. Trump’s public statements have varied from expressing disinterest to signaling support—consistent with his known negotiation style.

Iran’s decision to suspend cooperation with the IAEA poses a significant obstacle to any resumption of serious diplomacy . Prior to the conflict, five rounds of indirect U.S.-Iran talks had taken place. A sixth round—expected to be held in Oman—was canceled due to the Israeli strikes. Now, with Qatar actively mediating, U.S. officials hope a new framework can be revived, although trust – already fragile before strikes – has been deeply diminished.

As negotiations continue behind the scenes, the question remains whether both sides can overcome mutual suspicion and make progress amid this fragile moment . The outcome will shape the future of sanctions, nuclear oversight, and regional stability—and may determine whether diplomacy prevails, or pressure once again escalates into conflict.
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