Authorities in Iran are facing criticism over a volunteer mobilization campaign reportedly allowing children as young as 12 to participate in activities connected to national security and wartime support.
The initiative, launched in Tehran and coordinated by the paramilitary Basij, is called “Homeland Defender Fighters for Iran” and promoted with the slogan “For Iran.” It aims to mobilize civilians for roles including defence-related duties, logistical tasks, and humanitarian support.
Reports indicate that minors aged 12 and above are eligible to join the program. A video circulated by Iranian media outlined potential assignments for volunteers, such as intelligence patrols, operational patrols, and checkpoint duties—tasks that suggest involvement in surveillance and local security enforcement. Observers have raised concerns that these responsibilities blur the line between civilian support and active participation in security operations, particularly for underage recruits.
The mobilization drive comes amid an escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, marked by missile attacks, cyber operations, and clashes across Syria, Iraq, and the Persian Gulf. U.S. officials frame their involvement as efforts to limit Iran’s military influence, while Tehran describes its actions as defending national sovereignty. The intensifying conflict has raised fears of wider regional instability, affecting civilian populations through displacement, economic hardship, and security measures.
Iran has historically relied on mass volunteer forces during wartime. The Basij, operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, played a major role during the Iran–Iraq War, mobilizing civilians—including youths—for frontline and support operations. The organization has since remained a key tool for internal security, often deployed to enforce state directives and manage civil unrest.
Analysts warn that the new campaign could signal an expansion of these mobilization tactics at a time of heightened tensions, raising ethical and legal concerns over the recruitment of minors for activities linked to armed conflict.
