Iran Lowers Minimum Age for Military Participation to 12

Iran's Revolutionary Guards Allow Younger Children to Join War Efforts

Recent statements from Iran indicate that the minimum age for children to engage in war-related support roles has been reduced to 12 years. This announcement was made by an official from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as reported by state media. Rahim Nadali, a cultural representative of the Guards in Tehran, mentioned that a new initiative named "For Iran" is actively recruiting young participants for various roles, including patrols, checkpoints, and logistical support.

Nadali noted, "As the age of those volunteering has decreased and they express a desire to participate, we have decided to lower the minimum age to 12." He further stated that children aged 12 and 13 are now eligible to join if they choose to do so. This development was highlighted during state media coverage of the ongoing war efforts, raising concerns about Iran's adherence to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the involvement of minors in military activities.