‘Endless fears’: Even if fighting stops, the damage to Iran’s children will endure
Endless Fears: The Lingering Impact on Iran’s Youth
For 15-year-old Ali, the war lingers in his mind. Even now, the echoes of US and Israeli airstrikes haunt him, triggering sudden jumps at familiar sounds. “Before the conflict, I felt no stress at all,” he recalls. “But today, every loud noise makes my brain react intensely.” His experience reflects a growing phenomenon among Iran’s youth: heightened alertness, a condition psychologists link to early signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Iran’s population includes over 20 million children under 14, a vulnerable demographic now bearing the brunt of ongoing conflict. Ali’s fear is shared by many, as the trauma of bombings and missile attacks seeps into their daily lives. “The blast sounds, the shockwaves, and the whir of fighter jets create a lasting unease,” he explains. “Even after the ceasefire, the fear doesn’t fade.”
A Family in Turmoil
Ali’s parents, too, are caught in the aftermath of war. His father, once employed, now struggles to find work. His mother, ever watchful, reacts with visible anxiety whenever planes fly overhead. “She stays indoors, trembling at the sound of engines,” Ali says. “I try to stay calm, but I can’t escape the worry that follows me everywhere.” The disruption has isolated him from peers, stripping away opportunities for normalcy. “I should be studying, building a future,” he laments. “Instead, I live in constant fear of bombs and political turmoil.”
Across the region, from Tehran to Beirut, children face similar challenges. Schools remain closed, streets are under surveillance, and families huddle at home, waiting for stability. The BBC, relying on local witnesses, has documented the emotional toll on young lives. “We see sleeplessness, nightmares, and difficulty focusing,” says Aysha, a counselor in Tehran. “Some kids even display aggressive behavior. It’s as if the war has rewritten their understanding of safety.”
Children as Targets and Soldiers
The Iranian regime has not only exposed children to danger but also enlisted them in military efforts. According to HRANA, a US-based human rights group, 3,636 people have died in the conflict, including 254 children. “The government pushes parents to send their kids to checkpoints,” says a resident named Noor. “They want boys to feel heroic, like they’re proving their manhood on the battlefield.”
“Do you want your son to become a man? Let him feel he’s a hero in the battlefield, commanding the fight. Mothers and fathers, send your children to the roadblocks,” urged a regime official in a televised speech. “These children will turn into men.”
For 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, this call to action proved fatal. He was killed by a drone strike while accompanying his father at a checkpoint in Tehran on 29 March. His mother, Sadaf Monfared, recounted his final words: “I wanted to be a martyr.” Amnesty International criticizes the recruitment of minors as a violation of international law, calling it a “grave breach of children’s rights and a war crime.”
The war has reshaped the lives of Iran’s children, leaving them with enduring scars. As the conflict continues, their world remains fractured, their futures uncertain, and their fears unending.
