Iran is reportedly increasing its recruitment of children as young as 12 into military roles connected with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), according to recent reports from various human rights organizations.
This escalation seems linked to the growing strains on Iran’s military efforts, especially as US and Israeli attacks ramp up. Analysts and human rights advocates suggest that enlisting minors reveals serious manpower issues and a troubling reliance on paramilitary forces to sustain efforts at home. This approach not only heightens the risks for these children but might also expose Iran to allegations of war crimes.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has initiated a campaign called “Iran’s Homeland Defense Fighters,” which specifically lowers the minimum recruitment age to 12. They are actively encouraging minors to join via mosques and Basij, a volunteer paramilitary group associated with the IRGC.
Interestingly, the roles assigned to these children go beyond mere support tasks. They are engaged in operational patrols, manning checkpoints and gathering intelligence, which places them directly in harm’s way amid increasing violence across the country.
Reports indicate that Amnesty International flagged this situation, stating that the recruitment of those under 15 can be classified as a war crime. They backs this claim with verified evidence and eyewitness accounts.
The organization reviewed numerous photos and videos that have emerged recently. These materials exhibit children with firearms, including AK-pattern rifles, deployed with the IRGC and Basij forces in urban settings such as Tehran, Mashhad, and Kermanshah.
Tragically, there have been deadly incidents linked to this practice. For instance, an 11-year-old boy named Alireza Jafari was reportedly killed at a checkpoint while with his father, who is affiliated with Basij, after an Israeli drone strike.
The boy’s mother recounted to the media that she had been preparing him for the duties of the checkpoint, noting that such tasks are normally handled by older teens. Eyewitnesses have described seeing children physically struggling to handle firearms, raising grave concerns about their safety and capability.
Amnesty International released a video showing two children in Basij uniforms carrying assault rifles in a vehicle during a state-sponsored rally. The recruitment efforts seem to align with official messaging promoting a sense of duty among youth in Iran.
While Iranian officials defend this initiative, citing a demand from adolescents for involvement, critics strongly oppose it. They argue, as highlighted by Human Rights Watch, that there is no justification for recruiting children, especially those as young as 12.
This situation unfolds against a backdrop where the United Nations identifies the recruitment of minors in armed conflicts as a serious violation of international norms, which typically prohibit engaging children under 15 in military activities.
Human rights advocates are urging the Iranian government to halt the enrollment of minors in military roles and to release those already involved. Efforts to obtain a response from Iran’s UN mission have been unsuccessful.
