An official representing Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) announced on state media that the minimum age for participation in war-related support roles has been lowered to 12 years old.
Rahim Nadali, a cultural official for the Guards in Tehran, detailed a recruitment initiative titled “For Iran” during a televised broadcast.
The program seeks participants to assist with domestic security and logistics, including patrols and staffing checkpoints.
According to Nadali, the decision to lower the entry age from previous standards was a response to high demand from younger citizens.
He noted that 12- and 13-year-olds are now eligible to take part in these activities if they choose to volunteer.
The announcement has immediately drawn international scrutiny and revived concerns regarding the mobilization of minors in security contexts.
Human rights advocates previously criticized the IRGC after images from the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests showed teenagers in military-style uniforms.
This policy change follows a period of significant unrest in Iran earlier this year.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran reported that security forces were responsible for the deaths of more than 200 children during a wave of protests in early 2026.
The use of children in any military-related capacity is a direct challenge to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Iran is a signatory to this international agreement, which prohibits the involvement of children in military activities.
International organizations including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have documented systemic issues regarding the treatment of minors in the country.
Reports have detailed cases of children being detained, abused, or targeted with lethal force during public demonstrations.
Despite these reports, state media coverage of the war effort continues to frame the participation of young volunteers as a matter of national devotion.
The IRGC has not specified what protections, if any, will be provided to the 12-year-olds serving in these logistical and patrol roles.
As global tensions remain high, this recruitment drive adds a new layer of complexity to the human rights situation in the region.
Observers suggest the move could further strain Iran’s relations with international bodies overseeing child welfare.