Israeli Bullets Allegedly Found in Bodies of Iranian Children Killed During Deadly Riots

In a startling development that has sent shockwaves across the globe, Iranian authorities have claimed that Israeli military-grade bullets were discovered embedded in the bodies of children killed amid recent riots in the Islamic Republic. This allegation comes from a report by the Russian news agency TASS, citing Iranian security sources. The unrest, which erupted on December 29, 2025, following a sharp decline in the value of the Iranian rial, has escalated into one of Iran’s most severe crises in recent history, with the death toll continuing to rise.

NaijaChoice News has compiled information from various sources to provide a balanced perspective on this issue. While Iranian officials accuse the United States and Israel of orchestrating the violence, activists and Western media outlets present a contrasting narrative, attributing most deaths to government crackdowns.

Tragic Incidents Involving Children

According to the TASS report, forensic examinations confirmed the presence of Israeli ammunition in the bodies of at least two young victims. One case involves an eight-year-old girl from Isfahan who was fatally shot in the stomach, chin, and back of the head while shopping with her family during the unrest. The other incident concerns three-year-old Melina Asadi, who was killed on the evening of January 7, 2026, in Kermanshah while returning from a pharmacy with her father. The source attributed the attack to “armed terrorists,” noting that the child was shot from behind. Iranian media outlets such as PressTV and Tasnim News Agency have amplified these claims, presenting them as proof of foreign meddling.

However, human rights organizations offer a different account. Amnesty International has reported that security forces fired rifles and shotguns directly at protesters’ heads and torsos, resulting in severe injuries and fatalities, including among children. Posts on X (formerly Twitter) from activists highlight cases like the killing of 15-year-old Sina Ashkabousi and 24 other children in Tehran, blaming direct orders from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Another post describes a teacher who died after being shot, with allegations that Mossad agents prevented assistance.

Escalating Death Toll and Accusations

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has directly blamed the US and Israel for the violence, stating that actors “linked to Israel and the US caused massive damages and killed several thousand.” In a nationally televised address on January 17, he labeled the US President a “criminal” and vowed that those responsible “will not go unpunished,” while emphasizing that Tehran would avoid being drawn into a broader conflict. Iranian Defense Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh further alleged that the US and Israel possess “precise intelligence” indicating coordination with separatist groups through arms smuggling and financing aimed at “balkanizing” Iran.

The death toll remains a point of contention. Iranian state media reports an official figure of 3,117 deaths, including 2,427 civilians and security personnel. In contrast, the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) estimates at least 4,902 to 5,002 deaths, with many more under review, including over 4,000 protesters. Independent assessments from Western sources like CBS News and The Sunday Times suggest figures as high as 12,000 to 20,000. An anonymous Iranian official told Reuters that the toll stands at least 5,000, including 500 security forces.

The Kurdish separatist group, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), has admitted to conducting armed attacks against Iranian forces, framing them as support for protesters following alleged IRGC targeting of demonstrators. Iranian police have detained nearly 300 individuals accused of property damage and assaults on officers.

Diverse Perspectives and Unverified Allegations

Iranian sources continue to promote the narrative of external interference, including the seizure of US-made weapons from rioters. Western media, such as The New York Times and Reuters, describe the response as a “shoot-to-kill” policy, with eyewitness accounts of forces firing indiscriminately at protesters and bystanders. Amnesty International characterizes the killings as occurring on an “unprecedented scale,” supported by videos showing piled bodies and overwhelmed hospitals.

Israel has not directly addressed these accusations, though some unverified X posts suggest Mossad involvement in backing the riots. US President Trump has issued threats of action, but Iran has warned that any strike on Khamenei could lead to full-scale war.

Pro-government media portray casualties as victims of “external interference,” while activists claim families are being charged for the bullets used to kill their relatives. An internet blackout in Iran has hindered fact-verification, but international protests are demanding intervention.

Implications for the Region

This unrest has highlighted deep-seated divisions in Iran, with growing calls for an end to clerical rule. For Nigeria and Africa, it serves as a reminder of how economic hardships can ignite violence and how foreign powers are often accused of interference. NaijaChoice News will continue to monitor and report on developments with balance.