Shoulder Carriers and Fuel Carriers: Silent Victims of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Border Policies
Shoulder carrying in Kurdish-populated regions and fuel carrying in Sistan and Baluchestan have long been bound up with poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and structural deprivation, becoming one of the main ways for a portion of the population in these areas to earn a living. Driven to these high-risk activities primarily by a lack of employment opportunities and economic pressure, individuals face hazards along border routes including military fire, landmines, falls from heights, and road accidents. According to human rights organizations, at least 16 shoulder carriers and fuel carriers were killed or injured due to these dangers in the first six months of 2026: 9 died and 7 were injured.
Annual Statistics
According to the annual report of the Statistics Center of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2025-2026, at least 8 shoulder carriers were involved in incidents due to border route hazards, geographical/climatic conditions, and military chases, resulting in 4 deaths and 4 injuries. Additionally that year, direct gunfire by military forces led to the deaths of 15 shoulder carriers and 23 fuel carriers, and injured 22 shoulder carriers and 13 fuel carriers. Killed shoulder carriers include: Mohammad Rahimi, Rahman Rasoulzadeh, Rebwar Mohammadzadeh, Mehdi Sharifi, and others. Killed Fuel carriers include: Rahman Zarozehi, Davoud Zarozehi, Abdul-Rashid Fazeli, Masoud Golehpacheh, and others. In additional 84 fuel carriers were involved in incidents during military chases or related road accidents.
May–July 2026: During the May and July 2026, at least 10 Shoulder carriers and fuel carriers were targeted by military gunfire. Published reports indicate that 3 shoulder carriers and 3 fuel carriers lost their lives, while 3 shoulder carriers and 1 fuel carriers were injured. Identified deceased: Salah Khoshnamak, Vazir Rahimi, Matlab Kheyberi, Gohram Gomshadzehi, Yaser Ozbakzehi, and Abdul-Basit Karangesh. Zaniar Irannejad: A 28-year-old shoulder carrier from Sardasht, died in July 2026 following direct gunfire by border guards in the Tateh heights on the Hawraman border. Among the victims, Abdul-Basit Karangesh was only 15 years old, highlighting once again the urgent need for a serious and independent investigation into the use of firearms against shoulder carriers and fuel carriers.
Gap Between Words and Actions: In April and May 2016, Ali Khamenei, the former Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, stated regarding anti-smuggling efforts that “smuggling” did not refer to “the vulnerable shoulder carriers”, and that actions should target large smuggling networks and gangs. He also cited poverty, unemployment, and livelihood needs as factors driving many into shoulder carrying.
Despite these statements, military shootings of shoulder carriers and fuel carriers have continued unabated in subsequent years. This situation, demonstrates the gap between official acknowledgment of economic conditions and practical actions on the ground. shoulder carrying and fuel carrying cannot be viewed purely through a security and law enforcement perspective. When poverty, unemployment, and lack of sustainable jobs drive people to dangerous border activities, the sustainable solution lies in creating jobs, eliminating discrimination, and providing decent living conditions—not firearms and force.
Legal and Human Rights Commitments: The current situation conflicts with several principles of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran:
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Article 3, Clause 9: Obligates the government to eliminate unfair discrimination and provide fair opportunities for all.
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Article 3, Clause 12: Emphasizes laying down a sound and fair economy aimed at creating welfare, eradicating poverty, and removing deprivation, including in employment.
From an international human rights perspective, citing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
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Article 2: Non-discrimination
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Article 3: Right to life
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Article 23: Right to work security
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Article 25: Right to food, housing, medical care, and necessary social services for all
Furthermore, Goal 8 of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 emphasizes sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
We, as human rights activists, condemn armed violence against shoulder carriers and fuel carriers and demand an immediate end to shootings and all violent conduct against them. Instead of an enforcement and security approach, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran is obligated to adopt effective economic and social policies to ensure sustainable employment, eliminate discrimination, and guarantee decent livelihoods for border region residents so that making a living does not force individuals to accept the deadly risks of shoulder carrying and fuel carrying.
Protecting human lives and providing decent living conditions must not depend on location, economic status, or type of livelihood activity.
Defense of Human Rights Association in Iran
Defense of the Rights of Iranian Ethnics and Nations Committee
Translated by Alireza Jahan Bin
