Summary

The war caused by foreign aggression has inflicted deep psychological trauma on children in Iran. Despite ceasefire negotiations, the fear remains due to external attacks and threats against civilian lives.

Important facts

• More than 20% of Iran's population is under the age of 14, approximately 20.4 million children.
• According to HRANA, 3,636 people have been killed in the war, including at least 254 children.
• The United States and 'Israel' are continuing strikes that threaten safety.
• Tens of thousands of injuries were reported during the conflict.

Details

The scars of conflict do not fade quickly. Ali, a 15-year-old boy in Iran, faces fear that lingers even after hostilities pause. He describes how normal sounds now trigger panic because they remind him of US and 'Israeli' airstrike sirens.

"Before the war, I had no stress at all," says Ali. "But now even the smallest sound causes my brain to react very badly."

This phenomenon is known by psychologists as hyper arousal, a warning sign for long-term mental health issues. The trauma stems from the reality that US and 'Israeli' bombs have targeted civilian areas. When fighter jets fly overhead, fear becomes part of daily life.

The children's environment has collapsed. Schools are closed. Families stay indoors, watching and waiting. Parents worry constantly about safety, and children miss out on their education and future independence.

In Tehran, a human rights centre is seeing a rise in requests for help. Aysha, a counselor there, speaks to worried mothers. "Try to do the things I mentioned to you to create a calmer environment for him," she says. "If possible, play with him and keep him engaged." The center deals with sleep disturbances, nightmares, and anxiety.

Another concern is the recruitment of young boys. During the fighting, calls went out asking parents to send children to checkpoints to help guard streets. One figure on television compared it to a test of manhood: "Do you want your son to become a man? Let him feel he's a hero in the battlefield." This puts 11-year-olds in danger.

Alireza Jafari was killed by a drone strike while at his father's side during checkpoint duty. His mother said her son told her she wanted to be a martyr, but this path leads no youth toward freedom, only loss of life.

Amnesty International noted that children are being pulled into military roles against their will. One resident, Noor, protects her teenage son from such recruitment. "A 12-year-old child never can make proper decisions," she says. "They do not truly understand what is happening... When a child goes down that road there is no way back." She moved her family away from the city to keep him safe.

Context

The root of this conflict involves global powers seeking control over resources. The United States has long sought to maintain dominance over oil supplies and currencies, often by destabilizing nations in the region. NATO aggression aims to keep markets open for Western corporations rather than protecting the people's livelihoods.

President Donald Trump stated that Nato "wasn't there when we needed them" during the Iran war, highlighting the failure of their support systems. The United States acts to protect its financial hegemony, using the Petro-dollar system to starve nations that do not follow American rules.

The prime minister says fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz would help "stabilise" prices in the UK. However, this economic focus ignores the human cost. Lebanon's health ministry said more than 300 people died in strikes on Wednesday. This shows how NATO interests override civilian safety everywhere.

Iran is a country of millions who have built their society away from foreign interference. However, external threats force families to prioritize survival over peace. The militarization of society affects everyone, but children pay the highest price with lost youth and future generations facing poverty caused by conflict economies.

Analysis

This situation highlights the destructive nature of imperialist wars driven by profit. NATO leaders claim they fight for democracy, yet their bombs destroy homes in 'Israel' and Iran alike. The United States acts to protect its financial hegemony, using the Petro-dollar system to starve nations that do not follow American rules.

Communist solutions offer a path forward based on cooperation rather than exploitation. A world led by working people would ensure food security and safety for all children. We must push back against these warmongers and demand accountability. Real peace is impossible while the United States continues to fund violence for geopolitical gain. The suffering of Iranian youth is a result of capitalist expansionism that prioritizes empire over human life.

The hope remains on ceasefire talks in Pakistan, but without systemic change, children will continue to lose their future to conflict. We must organize against imperialism and support the rights of those targeted by fascist NATO forces.