On June 18, 2025, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Israeli Air Force jets had targeted and destroyed the Internal Security Headquarters of the Iranian regime in Tehran. In a statement posted on X, Katz referred to the operation as part of a broader campaign to weaken the Iranian government, which he described as a “central repressive arm” of the regime. He emphasized Israel’s commitment to continue striking at symbols of the Iranian government.
The attack comes amid a series of systematic efforts by Israel to degrade various sectors of Iran's military and government infrastructure, including command-and-control centers, energy facilities, and economic targets. Jason Brodsky, policy director for United Against Nuclear Iran, noted that the police in Iran operates as an extension of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), suggesting that the strike is aimed at destabilizing the Iranian regime.
The U.S. State Department has long characterized the Iranian theocracy as oppressive, stating that the Iranian populace is largely pro-Western yet faces severe repression from the government. Reports from organizations like Amnesty International have documented the brutal tactics employed by Iranian authorities to suppress dissent, particularly following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, which ignited widespread protests. Amnesty highlighted that the authorities had strategized to crush protests ruthlessly, using armed forces against demonstrators, resulting in numerous casualties.
The Basij paramilitary force, loyal to the Iranian regime, has been noted for its role in quelling protests and has been implicated in violence against demonstrators over the years. This context underscores the ongoing tensions within Iran and the complexities of international responses to its governance.