Drone strike kills Iranian child at IRGC checkpoint

An 11-year-old Iranian boy was killed at a checkpoint of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Tehran during the recent clashes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Iran International reported the incident, citing Iranian media and human rights organisations.

The boy, Alireza Jafari, a fifth-grade student, died in what authorities described as a drone attack. His name had previously appeared on casualty lists, but the Basij teachers’ organisation later confirmed that he died “while on duty” at the facility.

Alireza’s mother told the Hamshahri newspaper that her son was accompanying his father, who served at the checkpoint, due to staff shortages.

Human rights groups and Iranian media covering the case have noted that teenagers are sometimes present at such checkpoints.

This report comes amid a push by media linked to Iran’s security forces promoting a volunteer program that allows participants as young as 12 to register for auxiliary security duties.

By Khagan Isayev