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

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

Ali’s mind is haunted by the echoes of conflict. The war lingers in his thoughts, and sudden sounds—like slamming doors or dropped utensils—trigger his instinct to flinch. The ceasefire fails to ease this persistent fear. “Before the war, I had no stress at all,” he recalls. “But now even the smallest sound makes my brain react strongly.” At just 15, Ali understands how the trauma of US and Israeli airstrikes has seeped into his psyche, creating a constant state of alert. The aftermath of explosions and the hum of fighter jets overhead have left him unable to distinguish danger from everyday life.

Children’s psychological toll

More than 20% of Iran’s population is under the age of 14—approximately 20.4 million children. Ali and others like him are suffering from “hyper arousal,” a condition psychologists link to early signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The fear has transformed their lives, leaving them in a state of constant anxiety. “My mother stays at home and becomes frightened and stressed whenever fighter jets fly overhead,” he says. “She shows clear signs of anxiety, and I’m afraid too.” Ali’s connection to his friends has faded, and his future now feels uncertain. “I should be able to study, work, and grow up without constant worry about bombs, politics, and endless fears,” he laments.

Shrinking worlds

Iranian children’s worlds have narrowed significantly. With schools closed and streets patrolled by regime militias, families retreat to their homes, seeking refuge from the threat of aerial attacks. The ceasefire offers little relief, as the fear of war remains palpable. “We are seeing a lot of sleep disturbances, nightmares, reduced concentration, and even aggressive behavior,” says Aysha, a counselor in Tehran. She works with distressed parents, advising them on creating calm environments for their children. “If things don’t improve, bring him back to the center,” she urges, highlighting the surge in cases of war-related trauma.

Government’s call to arms

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 3,636 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 254 children. Tens of thousands have also been injured. The Iranian regime has actively mobilized children, urging parents to send them to checkpoints as part of the Basij volunteer militia. In a televised speech, a regime official declared, “Take your children by the hand and come out to the street. Do you want your son to become a man? Let him feel he’s a hero in the battlefield, commanding the battle. Mothers, fathers, send your children at night to the roadblocks. These children will turn into men.” For 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, this call to arms meant death. He was killed by a drone strike on 29 March while accompanying his father on duty in Tehran. His mother, Sadaf Monfared, shared that he told her, “I would like to become a martyr.”

International scrutiny

Amynty International has condemned the recruitment of minors, calling it a “grave violation of international humanitarian law amounting to a war crime.” Iran’s security laws permit children under 15 to join military service, contradicting global standards. One Tehran resident, known as Noor, vows to protect his early-teen son from such involvement. “I’ll do everything to keep him away from the fighting,” he says, reflecting the anguish of parents who fear losing their children to the war’s relentless grip.

“When you struggle so much to raise a child, only for that child to be killed—whether in protests or in war like this—I believe no parent would be willing to bring a child into the world.”