I fled Iran — now the regime uses children as – Latest News
While a lot of the Western media is busy handwringing over whether or not President Donald J. Trump’s strikes on Iranian infrastructure may represent a struggle crime, there may be a deafening silence on what clearly is one: a regime intentionally inserting ladies and children in hurt’s approach as human shields.
Now that President Trump has simply negotiated a two-week ceasefire with Iran in return for opening the Strait of Hormuz, the media are whining about that, too.
The misplaced criticism, and the hypocrisy, usually are not simply obtrusive: They are morally indefensible.
Iranians react after a ceasefire announcement at the Enqelab sq., in Tehran, on April 8 2026. AFP through Getty Images
The deal got here simply hours after the theocratic regime used ladies and children as human shields in entrance of bridges round the nation in concern of Trump following by way of along with his menace to assault.
In latest days, the regime has referred to as on civilians, together with younger people, to kind human chains round crucial infrastructure like bridges and energy plants as a deterrent in opposition to US assaults.
What the world is watching will not be patriotism. It is a regime placing ladies and children at risk.
At the similar time, credible experiences verify that Iran is recruiting children as younger as 12 to help navy operations, man checkpoints, and take part in protection efforts.
This will not be a authorities defending its people. It is a regime hiding behind them.
Smoke rises following strikes on Tehran on April 7, 2026. AFP through Getty Images
I was 1 yr outdated when my household fled Iran. I don’t bear in mind the second, however I stay with its that means.
Because if I had been there immediately, if my 4 daughters or I stepped outdoors and a strand of our hair confirmed, we may very well be arrested, crushed, or sentenced to death. That is the actuality for hundreds of thousands of ladies dwelling beneath this regime.
And nonetheless, the world hesitates fairly than rallying behind President Trump, in his brave mission to free the world of its best state sponsor of terrorism.
Iran is one of the world’s main executioners. Hundreds are put to death yearly, usually after sham trials with no due course of. Protesters, dissidents, and younger people are amongst them. During the latest crackdown, children had been killed in the streets, some shot, others crushed and raped and lots of merely erased. At least 118 children have already been recognized amongst these killed in the newest wave of protests alone.
This will not be justice. This is systemic brutality.
And but, the place is the outrage?
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Where are UNICEF, Amnesty International, the United Nations, and the International Committee of the Red Cross when children are being armed, used, and killed?
Where are the Western media so aggrieved that Trump’s strikes in opposition to Iran’s infrastructure are supposed “war crimes”?
Where are the emergency condemnations when a regime overtly mobilizes civilians as human shields?
The silence is deafening.
And it isn’t unintended.
For years, the Iranian regime has invested closely in shaping international notion. It has pushed narratives that blur the line between sufferer and aggressor, between resistance and repression. It has embedded affect in Western establishments and discourse. And it’s working. The proof is in the hesitation to call this what it’s.
Evil.
I take into consideration who I could be if my household had not left.
Would I be compelled into silence, afraid to talk? Would I be punished for how I gown? Would I be one of the names we by no means hear about, executed with out a headline?
That’s precisely why the daughters of this murderous regime have discovered a asylum right here in America, the place ladies have equality and freedom to decorate, say and do as they need
It is important to know that the Iranian people usually are not the regime. They are its victims. They are applauding the United States and Israel’s mission to free them in the world of this death cult.
And proper now, they’re getting used as shields in a struggle they didn’t select.
For many years, this regime has exported terror past its borders whereas crushing freedom within them. It has funded proxy violence, destabilized total areas, and pursued energy at the expense of its own residents.
Now, as stress mounts and the chance of decisive motion looms, the regime is exhibiting its true face as soon as again. Not power. Not strategy. Desperation.
A authorities that hides behind children will not be a authorities that deserves legitimacy.
This second calls for ethical readability.
Because each second the world stays silent, the regime grows bolder. Every excuse offers it cowl. Every hesitation prices harmless lives.
I was fortunate. My household acquired out.
Millions didn’t.
And immediately, they’re being positioned on the entrance traces as youngster troopers and as shields.
The world sees it.
The query is whether or not it’s going to lastly act.
Shirin Yadegar is the CEO and and creator of www.lamommagazine.com.
