‘Endless fears’: Even if fighting stops, the damage to Iran’s children will endure

Endless Fears: The Lasting Impact on Iran’s Youth Even After Ceasefire

For 15-year-old Ali, the war lingers in his mind. A slamming door or a dropped spoon sends his body into a sudden jolt. The truce fails to ease his anxiety. “Before the conflict, I felt no pressure,” he recalls. “Now, even a minor noise causes my brain to react violently.” Despite his age, Ali grasps how the sounds of US and Israeli airstrikes embed themselves in the psyche, triggering an involuntary startle reflex. “Explosions, the shockwaves, and the roar of jets overhead deeply affect me,” he explains.

A Shattered Childhood

More than 20% of Iran’s population is under 14, totaling roughly 20.4 million children. Many, like Ali, are grappling with “hyperarousal,” a condition psychologists link to early signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. His father has lost his job due to the war, while his mother remains perpetually on edge. “She hides her fear at home, but it’s always there,” Ali says. “I used to play with friends, study, and dream of independence. Now I’m trapped in endless dread, haunted by the specter of bombs and the constant threat of violence.”

Fear Takes Root

Iranian families have retreated to their homes, their lives constrained by the war’s shadow. Schools are shuttered, streets are patrolled by militia, and the regime’s propaganda frames the conflict as a test of courage for boys. “Take your children by the hand and lead them to the streets,” urged a regime official in a broadcast. “Let them become heroes, commanding battles at night.” Such rhetoric pressures parents to send their kids to checkpoints, even as the war claims young lives. HRANA, a US-based rights group, reports 3,636 deaths and tens of thousands of injuries, including at least 254 children.

At a Tehran human rights center, Aysha – a counselor – guides a worried mother over the phone. “Engage him with activities, create calm, and if needed, bring him here,” she advises. The center is overwhelmed, with parents reporting sleep issues, nightmares, and aggressive outbursts. “Raising a child is hard enough,” Aysha says. “But imagine losing them to protests or war – no parent would risk that.”

A Martyr’s Dream

Eleven-year-old Alireza Jafari’s story is etched in tragedy. He was killed during a drone strike while assisting his father at a checkpoint in Tehran. His mother, Sadaf Monfared, shared his final words: “I wanted to be a martyr.” Amnesty International condemns Iran’s use of child soldiers, calling it a violation of international law. The country’s security laws permit enlistment of minors, undermining global standards. One Tehran resident, known as Noor, vows to shield his teen son from such fate. “I won’t let him become a soldier,” he says. “No child should face war’s brutality before they’ve even learned to read.”