Endless fears

Ali’s mind is haunted by the war. A slamming door or dropped utensils now send him into sudden, involuntary reactions. The ceasefire hasn’t alleviated his anxiety. “Before the conflict, I felt no stress,” he recalls. “But now, even the faintest noise causes my brain to panic.” At 15, he grasps how the echoes of US and Israeli airstrikes have embedded themselves in his psyche, creating a persistent state of alert. “Explosions, shockwaves, and the roar of fighter jets flying over the city leave a deep impact,” he explains.

The Psychological Toll

Over 20% of Iran’s population—nearly 20.4 million children—has been shaped by the war’s relentless presence. Psychologists identify Ali’s experience as “hyper arousal,” a symptom that may foreshadow post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). His family, like many others, has become a refuge from the chaos outside. Yet, his father is unemployed, and his mother lives in constant unease. “She hides her fear at home, but it shows in her anxiety,” Ali says. “I’ve lost all contact with my friends. I should be learning and preparing for the future, not fearing bombs and political turmoil.”

A Shrunken World

Iranian children’s lives have contracted dramatically. Schools remain closed, and the streets are guarded by regime militias. Families huddle indoors, waiting for the ceasefire to last. “We’re stuck in our homes, hoping for stability,” says a parent. The BBC, through on-the-ground contacts, has gathered accounts of children’s trauma. Names have been altered to protect their safety. Aysha, a counselor in Tehran, speaks to a worried mother over the phone. “Engage him with play, create calm,” she advises. “If that fails, bring him here.”

Children on the Frontlines

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 3,636 people have died in the conflict, including at least 254 children. The Iranian government has actively enlisted minors as part of the Basij volunteer militia. In a televised speech, a regime official urged parents to “take your children by the hand and step into the streets.” He framed the war as a test of manhood for boys. “Let your son feel like a hero,” he said. “Mothers and fathers, send them to checkpoints at night.”

For 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, this call to action meant death. He was killed by a drone strike while accompanying his father on duty in Tehran on 29 March. His mother, Sadaf Monfared, shared his final words: “He said he wanted to become a martyr.” Amnesty International condemns the recruitment of children under 15, citing violations of international law. The regime’s security laws permit the enlistment of minors, placing them in harm’s way. A Tehran resident named Noor vows to shield her teen son from such risks. “I won’t let him become a soldier,” she declares. “These children are too young to fight.”