‘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
The war lingers in Ali’s mind. A slamming door or dropped cutlery sends him into a sudden panic. The ceasefire hasn’t alleviated this. “Before the conflict, I had no stress at all,” he explains. “Now, even the smallest sound causes my brain to react violently.” At 15, Ali understands how the trauma of US and Israeli airstrikes has embedded itself in his psyche, triggering an involuntary startle response to loud noises.
Iran’s population includes over 20.4 million children under 14. The psychological effects of the war are widespread, with psychologists identifying “hyper arousal” as a common symptom. This state, marked by heightened anxiety and fear, can signal early signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Ali observes his parents’ reactions, searching for the calm he once knew. His father is unemployed due to the war, while his mother lives in constant apprehension.
“My mother stays at home, and whenever fighter jets fly overhead, she becomes frightened and stressed. She shows clear signs of anxiety. As for myself, I am very afraid,” he says. “I have no contact with my friends… I should be able to study, work and become an independent person in the future. I should not be constantly worrying about politics, living in stress, thinking about bombs falling… with endless fears.”
Children’s lives have been confined. With schools closed and streets patrolled by militia, families are trapped indoors, waiting for the ceasefire to hold. The war has spread fear across the region, from Iran to Israel, the Gulf, and Lebanon. The BBC, working with local sources, has gathered testimonies from parents and caregivers helping children cope with trauma. Some names have been altered for safety.
In Tehran, Aysha—whose name has been changed—counsels a distressed mother over the phone. “Try to do the things I mentioned to create a calmer environment for him,” she advises. “If possible, play with him and keep him engaged. And if even then things don’t improve, bring him back to the centre.” Aysha reports the centre receives many calls and in-person visits from anxious parents, noting sleep disturbances, nightmares, and aggressive behavior.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 3,636 people have been killed in the war, including at least 254 children. Tens of thousands have been injured. The Iranian regime has also pushed to involve children in combat. Parents are urged to send their kids to join the Basij volunteer militia, which enforces state control. A regime official once told families to “take your children by the hand and come out to the street,” framing the war as a test of manhood for boys.
For 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, this call to action meant death. He was killed by a drone strike while assisting his father at a checkpoint in Tehran on 29 March. A local newspaper quoted his mother, Sadaf Monfared, as saying the boy told her he “would like to become a martyr.” Amnesty International condemns the recruitment of children under 15, citing violations of international humanitarian law. Iran’s security laws allow this, contradicting global standards.
A Tehran resident named Noor, who has a son in his early teens, vows to protect him from military service. “A 12-year-old…” she begins, trailing off as the weight of the situation settles in. The war’s impact on children, both in trauma and recruitment, continues long after the guns fall silent.
