A toddler was fatally shot in the head when special forces in Iran opened fire on the family car without warning.

The horror unfolded in Varzaneh County in Isfahan Province on 3rd March, according to reports.

The victim – two-year-old Emir Ali Musa Kazemi – was reportedly dozing in his dad’s arms when he was struck in the head by a bullet.

The incident reportedly began when a special forces truck pulled in front of the car carrying Emir, his parents, and his twin brother.

The family was on a “recreational trip” at the time, independent media reported.

The driver – a family friend – reportedly believed the motorist ahead was sleepy, so he decided to overtake the truck.

However, as he performed the manoeuvre, special forces officers opened fire at the car.

They did not order the driver to pull over before shooting, independent media reported.

Police in Isfahan confirmed tragic Emir’s death the next day.

Bafflingly, Isfahan Police claimed the officers – allegedly from the Anti-Smuggling Unit – opened fire at the “foreign licence plate car” to “stop it”.

The case has reportedly been registered as involuntary manslaughter.

Emir has since been buried in the city of Tehran, where his parents have a shop.