Trump sends personal letter to family of teen killed in Iran protests

A Los Angeles father mourning the death of his teenage nephew in Iran says he received a personal condolence letter from President Donald Trump, which also pledged support for the Iranian people amid ongoing unrest, New York Post reports.

Majid Moghadasi, an Iranian American living in Woodland Hills, told The Post that his nephew, Erfan Faraji, was killed on January 8 during anti-government protests in Iran. The teenager died two days after his 18th birthday amid a crackdown in which reported death toll estimates range from 7,000 to 36,500 people.

Two days after learning of the death, Moghadasi said he contacted the White House directly, pleading for assistance. He described his nephew as having been shot in the streets of Shahr-e Rey, south of Tehran, while taking part in demonstrations.

“He was an innocent teenager with dreams and a future ahead of him. His only act was standing up against injustice,” Moghadasi wrote, adding that authorities responded “not with dialogue, but with live ammunition.”

Just days later, on January 13, Trump responded with a personal letter of condolence. “Erfan will be held in my heart, and I promise never to forget or forgive the terrible events that took him from us,” the letter stated.

“Please know that my Administration will always stand with the Iranian people in their quest for freedom and democracy,” it added, noting that efforts were underway to hold Iran’s leadership accountable and that the administration was “working diligently to ensure that the Ayatollah and his murderous regime are brought to justice.”

Moghadasi said the response was deeply emotional. “Receiving the letter from President Trump was very emotional for me,” he said. “When I first read his response, I felt that my voice — and more importantly, the voice of my late nephew, Erfan Faraji, and many others—had finally been heard.”

“It gave me a sense of acknowledgment and a bit of relief during a very difficult time,” he added. “I hope that the decisions being made will ultimately lead to peace, security, and a better future for the people of Iran.”

He also described ongoing distress due to limited contact with family in Iran amid communication blackouts. “We truly don’t know their condition or whether they are safe,” he said. “This uncertainty is extremely stressful.”

Erfan’s death occurred during nationwide protests that began in late 2025, which rights groups say were met with lethal force. Later developments included the reported assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in February 2026 during Israeli strikes, confirmed by Iranian authorities in March.

By Vafa Guliyeva