Iran lowers minimum age for war support roles to 12

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has lowered the minimum age for participation in certain war-related support roles to 12, according to comments by a senior cultural official broadcast on state media.

Rahim Nadali, a Tehran-based IRGC cultural official, said the change was made as part of an initiative called “For Iran,” which aims to mobilize volunteers for non-combat activities such as patrols, checkpoint assistance and logistics, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

“Given that the age of those coming forward has dropped and they are asking to take part, we lowered the minimum age to 12,” Nadali said during the broadcast, adding that 12- and 13-year-olds could now participate if they choose.

The remarks, aired amid ongoing state media coverage of Iran’s broader war effort, have reignited concerns among child rights advocates and international observers about the potential involvement of minors in security-related operations.

Under international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child — to which Iran is a signatory — the recruitment or use of children in military activities is restricted, particularly in roles connected to hostilities.

Rights groups say the new policy appears to conflict with those commitments. Activists and watchdog organizations have previously accused Iranian authorities of exposing minors to violence and coercion during periods of domestic unrest.

During nationwide protests in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, images circulated on social media appearing to show children and teenagers wearing military-style uniforms and protective gear. The images drew widespread criticism and prompted calls for investigations by international organizations.

Human rights groups have also reported a pattern of children being harmed during crackdowns on demonstrations. The Center for Human Rights in Iran has said security forces killed more than 200 children during a wave of protests earlier in 2026, though Iranian officials have disputed such figures.

By Aghakazim Guliyev