According to a report by the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), eleven-year-old Alireza Jafari was killed in a drone strike targeting a checkpoint in Tehran.
The child, a fifth-grade student, was reportedly present at a checkpoint along Artesh Highway in recent days when the attack occurred. Available information indicates that he had accompanied his father to the site at the time.
In an interview with the Hamshahri newspaper, Alireza’s mother said that due to a “shortage of personnel,” his father had taken him along to the checkpoint. She added that the presence of teenagers aged 15 and 16 at such posts is not uncommon.
The Basij Cultural Organization has also confirmed the incident, stating that the eleven-year-old was killed “while on duty” at the checkpoint as a result of a drone strike—effectively acknowledging that he had been engaged in a paramilitary role.
The killing comes amid prior warnings about the recruitment and involvement of underage individuals in activities linked to military and security institutions. Recently, officials affiliated with the IRGC in Tehran announced a campaign titled “Defenders of the Homeland for Iran,” which explicitly allowed individuals as young as 12 to register for roles in operations, support, logistics, and checkpoint patrols.
This incident has intensified concerns over the use of children in military-related activities and raises serious questions about the responsibility of authorities to protect children’s rights.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#iranmassacre
#Alireza_Jafari
The child, a fifth-grade student, was reportedly present at a checkpoint along Artesh Highway in recent days when the attack occurred. Available information indicates that he had accompanied his father to the site at the time.
In an interview with the Hamshahri newspaper, Alireza’s mother said that due to a “shortage of personnel,” his father had taken him along to the checkpoint. She added that the presence of teenagers aged 15 and 16 at such posts is not uncommon.
The Basij Cultural Organization has also confirmed the incident, stating that the eleven-year-old was killed “while on duty” at the checkpoint as a result of a drone strike—effectively acknowledging that he had been engaged in a paramilitary role.
The killing comes amid prior warnings about the recruitment and involvement of underage individuals in activities linked to military and security institutions. Recently, officials affiliated with the IRGC in Tehran announced a campaign titled “Defenders of the Homeland for Iran,” which explicitly allowed individuals as young as 12 to register for roles in operations, support, logistics, and checkpoint patrols.
This incident has intensified concerns over the use of children in military-related activities and raises serious questions about the responsibility of authorities to protect children’s rights.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#iranmassacre
#Alireza_Jafari