Man Loses 12 Family Members in Alleged US-Israeli Attack in Tehran

Hamed Mirzaei lost 12 members of his family in an attack on his home in Tehran on March 9, 2026, an incident he attributes to the US and Israel. Mirzaei, who was planning to start a family with his wife, shared his personal account of how the attack devastated his life with Al Jazeera.

The strike targeted a residential building that his grandfather and great-uncle had built, with apartments shared among their children. Mirzaei and his wife, Mohadeseh, had moved into one of these apartments a year prior to the incident. Mirzaei was returning home from work when the attack occurred, and upon arrival, he found his home completely destroyed and his family unreachable.

Highlights

• Hamed Mirzaei lost 12 family members, including his wife, parents, grandparents, uncle, and other relatives, in an attack in Tehran.
• The attack, which Mirzaei claims was carried out by the US and Israel, took place on March 9, 2026.
• Mirzaei was close to home when the missile struck and subsequently found his family's residence in ruins.
• Seven months later, Mirzaei continues to visit the site daily, searching for any remnants of his loved ones.
• He states that his experience serves as a testament to the devastating consequences of war for anyone who believes it can lead to positive outcomes.

Details

On the day of the attack, Mirzaei was five minutes from his home when he heard the whistling sound of the first missile. The ground shook from the explosion, and his attempts to reach his wife and other family members by phone were unsuccessful. Upon arriving at the scene, he witnessed the complete destruction of his home, with only its skeleton remaining.

Despite rescue efforts for neighbors trapped in the rubble, no one from his family was found alive. For 20 days following the attack, Mirzaei tirelessly searched through the debris for his loved ones, but found nothing. Among the deceased were his 26-year-old wife Mohadeseh, his parents, grandparents, an aunt's husband and daughter, an uncle, and his father's cousin, wife, and child.

Why it matters

Mirzaei's story powerfully illustrates the profound and lasting human cost of conflict, extending beyond physical destruction to inflict deep emotional and psychological wounds. His personal tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war on individuals and families, underscoring the critical importance of peace and the urgent need to prevent such suffering.