Report: Israeli-made ammunition identified in bodies of children killed in Iran unrest

Russian news agency TASS, citing Iranian security sources, reported that forensic evidence indicates military ammunition belonging to the Israel Defense Forces was found in the bodies of children killed during the country’s ongoing unrest.

Sources cited a specific incident in Isfahan as a case in point. Forensic examination revealed that bullets striking an 8-year-old girl in the stomach, jaw, and the back of the head—while she was shopping with her family during the turmoil—were identified as Israeli-manufactured military munitions.

In a separate incident, 3-year-old Melina Asadi was reportedly killed on the evening of January 7, 2026, in Kermanshah while returning from a pharmacy with her father. According to the source, the child was shot from behind during an attack by armed elements.

Death toll reaches 5,000

The current tensions in Iran erupted following street demonstrations triggered by a precipitous collapse in the value of the Iranian rial on December 29, 2025. Speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, an Iranian official confirmed that the verified death toll has reached at least 5,000, including approximately 500 security personnel.

This figure represents a significant upward revision from the estimate of approximately 2,000 deaths released in mid-January.

Khamenei: US President is a criminal

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has held the US and Israel directly responsible for the deaths of “several thousand” people during the unrest.

Khamenei asserted that elements linked to Israel and the US have caused widespread destruction and resulted in thousands of fatalities.

In a televised national address on January 17, Khamenei declared, “We view the US president as a criminal,” emphasizing that those responsible would not escape punishment.

Furthermore, Khamenei underscored that Tehran would not be drawn into a broader war.

Confession of attacks from separatist groups

On January 13, Iranian police announced the detention of approximately 300 individuals on charges of damaging public property and assaulting police officers.

Meanwhile, the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), an Iranian Kurdish separatist group, admitted to carrying out armed attacks against Iranian security forces during the unrest, characterizing these actions as support for the street demonstrations.

Speaking to the Associated Press (AP), a representative for PAK alleged that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was targeting demonstrators.

The representative stated that the group had launched operations and provided financial support to activists in certain western provinces, claiming these attacks had inflicted “significant damage” on state forces.