Fact Check: "Two French nationals were endangered in the Evin Prison strike."
What We Know
On June 23, 2025, Israel conducted a military strike on Evin Prison in Tehran, a facility known for holding political prisoners and foreign nationals, including two French citizens, Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris. They have been detained there for over three years on charges of espionage, which France has vehemently denied (source-1, source-2). Following the strike, France's foreign minister stated that the attack endangered the lives of Kohler and Paris, calling the strike "unacceptable" (source-3, source-4). Reports indicated that the strike caused significant damage to the facility, with Iranian state media confirming that the situation was under control but that there were casualties (source-1, source-6).
Analysis
The claim that two French nationals were endangered during the Evin Prison strike is supported by multiple credible sources. France's foreign minister explicitly stated that the strike endangered the lives of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who have been held in Evin Prison under harsh conditions (source-3, source-4). The context of the strike, targeting a facility known for housing political prisoners, adds weight to the assertion that the lives of these individuals were indeed at risk.
The reliability of the sources is high, as they include major news organizations such as Reuters and CNN, which adhere to journalistic standards for verification and reporting. Additionally, the statements from French officials provide direct confirmation of the danger posed to their citizens. The situation in Evin Prison, characterized by reports of torture and inhumane treatment, further underscores the severity of the threat to Kohler and Paris (source-2).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that two French nationals were endangered in the Evin Prison strike is substantiated by credible reports and official statements from the French government. The context of the strike and the nature of the detention facility reinforce the conclusion that Kohler and Paris were indeed at risk during the military action.