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

Endless Fears: The Lingering Impact on Iran’s Children

For 15-year-old Ali, the war lingers in his mind. Everyday noises—like a slamming door or dropped cutlery—now provoke sudden startles. The ceasefire hasn’t eased his distress.

“I had no stress before the conflict,” he explains. “Now, even minor sounds trigger severe mental reactions.”

The Psychological Toll on Young Lives

Ali’s experience reflects what psychologists term “hyper arousal,” a condition that may signal early onset of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The persistent echoes of US and Israeli airstrikes have embedded fear deep within the psyche of many young Iranians. With schools closed and streets patrolled by regime militias, Iranian families are confined to their homes, left with little more than waiting and hoping the ceasefire remains intact.

Ali observes his parents’ heightened anxiety. His father, unemployed due to the war, and his mother, perpetually on edge, struggle to maintain normalcy.

“My mother remains at home, but whenever fighter jets pass overhead, she exhibits clear signs of anxiety and fear,” he says. “I, too, am terrified. I’ve lost contact with friends and can’t focus on studies, hoping to one day work independently without constant worry about bombs and endless fears.”

Government’s Role in Youth Mobilization

At a human rights center in Tehran, Aysha—whose name has been altered—offers counseling to anxious parents.

“Try the techniques I outlined to create a calmer environment,” she advises. “If all else fails, bring him here for support.”

The center receives numerous calls and in-person visits from worried parents. “We are seeing a lot of sleep disturbances, nightmares, reduced concentration, and even aggressive behavior,” Aysha notes. She adds, “When you struggle so much to raise a child, only for that child to be killed—whether in protests or in war like this—no parent would be willing to bring a child into the world.”

According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which aggregates data from across Iran, 3,636 individuals have died in the conflict. Among these casualties are at least 254 children, with tens of thousands injured. The Iranian regime has actively mobilized children for combat. Encouraging parents to send their sons to join the Basij volunteer militia, the government portrays this as a test of manhood for boys.

“Want your son to be a man?” a regime official urged. “Let him feel like a hero in battle, commanding the fight. Mothers and fathers, send your children to the checkpoints at night. These children will become men.”

For 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, this call to arms meant death. Killed by a drone strike on 29 March during checkpoint duty in Tehran, he expressed a desire to “become a martyr” before his passing. 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 as a violation of international law, highlighting the regime’s actions as a “grave breach of humanitarian rights” and a “war crime.”

One Tehran resident, referred to as Noor, has a teenage son. He swears to keep him out of the military.

“A 12-year-old…