Iran sees 2,500 child deaths and injuries in US‑Israel war, UNICEF reports

UNICEF’s interim regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, Abdul Fofana, said that in the last five months more than 4,000 children have been killed or injured across six Middle‑East countries as a result of the war launched by the United States and Israel. Over 2,500 of those casualties are in Iran, with 386 children dead and 2,117 wounded.

A recent strike on Qeshm Island off Iran’s southern coast killed a two‑year‑old boy and his parents and injured two other children, underscoring the toll on civilians. UNICEF called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, honour cease‑fire agreements and take immediate steps to protect children in homes, schools and communities.

The conflict began on 28 February with coordinated US‑Israel operations targeting Iranian military infrastructure, leading to retaliatory attacks and ongoing tension in the region, especially around the strategic Strait of Hormuz.