IAF strike enables hundreds of political prisoners to escape Iranian prison

The sudden liberation of hundreds brought chaotic scenes, with former detainees scattering into surrounding areas amid ongoing hostilities.

By Hezy Laing

On March 2, 2026, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted targeted airstrikes on a prison facility in Iran holding political opponents, an action that reportedly resulted in the release of hundreds of detainees amid the escalating U.S.-Israeli military campaign against the Iranian regime.

The strike occurred in the border region near Marivan, in Iran’s Kurdistan province, where Israeli and U.S. jets hit military and intelligence centers operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Human rights monitors, including the organization Hengaw, confirmed that the bombardment severely damaged infrastructure at Marivan Central Prison, a facility known for detaining both ordinary inmates and individuals imprisoned for political dissent, activism, or opposition to the government.

Following the attacks, prison authorities lost control, leading to the escape of all detainees as security collapsed and staff fled the area.

This incident unfolded against the backdrop of intense aerial operations that began days earlier, with the U.S. and Israel launching widespread strikes across Iran, including in Tehran, aimed at degrading regime military capabilities, command structures, and repressive apparatus.

The Marivan operation appeared part of a broader strategy to weaken border controls and IRGC dominance in peripheral regions, potentially opening pathways for opposition groups.

Reports indicate the prison held a mix of prisoners, many serving sentences for charges related to anti-regime activities, protests, or perceived threats to national security.

The sudden liberation of hundreds brought chaotic scenes, with former detainees scattering into surrounding areas amid ongoing hostilities.

Since the escalation of nationwide protests in late December 2025, tens of thousands of individuals have been arrested.

Reports from early 2026 indicate over 24,600 protesters were detained in January alone.