A father from Los Angeles, mourning the loss of his teenage nephew who died in Iran, revealed that he received a heartfelt letter from President Donald Trump. The letter expressed condolences and offered support to the Iranian people.
Majid Moghadashi, an Iranian American residing in Woodland Hills, shared with the Post that his nephew, Elfan Faraj, was killed on January 8 during protests against the government in Iran. Tragically, this occurred just two days after Elfan’s 18th birthday. Reports indicate that up to 36,500 people may have lost their lives during the government’s crackdown that month.
The figures surrounding deaths from the protests range dramatically, with estimates varying from 7,000 to 36,000. Two days after learning about his nephew’s death, Moghadashi reached out to the White House, requesting assistance.
In his emotional plea, he described how Elfan was shot in the streets of Shaare Ray, near Tehran, merely for participating in protests. Moghadashi noted that his nephew was “an innocent teenager with dreams” and remarked on the violent response from Iranian authorities who had chosen “live ammunition, not dialogue.” He urged President Trump to maintain a strong stance against Iran.
A few days later, on January 13, Trump replied, saying he and the First Lady were “devastated” by the tragedy. The letter conveyed that Erfan would remain in the President’s heart and pledged that the administration would support the Iranian people’s aspirations for freedom and democracy.
Furthermore, Trump committed to pursuing accountability for Iranian leaders, stating that efforts were underway to ensure justice against the Ayatollah and his regime.
Moghadashi expressed gratitude for the president’s message, saying it brought him a sense of relief during an incredibly tough time. “It felt like my voice, and the voices of Elfan and others, were finally acknowledged,” he reflected. This interaction gave him hope that justice for Erfan would not be overlooked and reminded him of their responsibility to keep his memory alive.
In light of ongoing instability, Moghadashi voiced his appreciation for the President’s words, hoping that the current decisions would benefit the Iranian populace.
Elfan’s death was part of widespread protests in Iran from late December 2025 to January 2026, driven by economic challenges and political discontent. According to Amnesty International, these demonstrations began with strikes in Tehran’s bazaars, rapidly escalating and facing violent crackdowns from security forces. Human Rights Watch also noted that on January 8, the same day Faraj was killed, authorities intensified their use of live ammunition, often targeting demonstrators’ heads and torsos.
The death toll is believed to be in the thousands, with estimates suggesting up to 5,000 fatalities reported by mid-January. Additionally, widespread internet outages and mass arrests have further obscured the full scale of the violence.
Moghadashi has been burdened by uncertainty regarding the safety of his family in Iran. “This situation is so distressing,” he admitted. “With communication disruptions, we can’t reach our loved ones, and the worry weighs heavily on us.”
After his nephew’s tragic death, he commemorated Elfan in a Persian video titled “In memory of Erfan Faraj and all the brave individuals who fought for freedom.” Recently, on February 28, 2026, reports confirmed the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, linked to Israeli airstrikes targeting high-ranking Iranian officials.
Upon hearing the news, Moghadashi experienced intense emotions but was concerned about the potential repercussions for his family. He ultimately decided to remove his online remarks, fearing for their safety.
