Children At War? Iran Recruiting Kids As Young As 12 To ‘Defend Homeland’: Report

Last Updated:March 31, 2026, 23:25 IST

Residents in Tehran and other cities reported seeing teenagers, some carrying weapons, staffing checkpoints and assisting militia patrols.

Iran is facing criticism after reports emerged that children as young as 12 are being recruited into military-aligned roles as the country seeks to bolster its war efforts.

Human rights organisations, including Human Rights Watch and Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, have warned that the recruitment drive violates international law and could amount to a war crime when children under 15 are involved.

According to BBC, the controversy intensified following the reported death of 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, who was allegedly killed in a drone strike while manning a security checkpoint in Tehran alongside his father. His mother said that the boy had accompanied his father due to a shortage of personnel, highlighting concerns about the use of minors in frontline or support roles.

She quoted her son as saying: “Mum, either we win this war or we become martyrs. God willing, we will win, but I would like to become a martyr."

Last week, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official in Tehran told the IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency that the organisation would enrol “volunteers" aged 12 and above. Eyewitnesses have told the BBC they have seen children, including some armed, in security roles in the capital and other cities.

Hamshahri newspaper said they were hit by an “Israeli drone strike".

Rahim Nadali, of the IRGC’s Greater Tehran Muhammad Rasulollah Corps, said the new programme, known as Homeland Defender Fighters for Iran, would place children on various duties, including patrols and deployment at checkpoints.

Recruitment, he added, could take place at mosques attached to the Basij militia in Tehran, and in city squares where pro-establishment rallies have been held.

Residents in Tehran and other cities reported seeing teenagers, some carrying weapons, staffing checkpoints and assisting militia patrols. These accounts suggest that minors are already participating in security operations across multiple urban areas.

The Basij militia, a volunteer force under IRGC control, is believed to be central to the recruitment effort. With an estimated one million members, the group has traditionally been used to enforce internal security and suppress dissent.

Rights advocates say the development reflects mounting pressure on Iranian authorities. Experts argue that deploying children not only breaches legal protections but also puts both the minors and civilians at risk, as they may lack proper training and judgment in high-stress situations.

Peyman, who is in his 20s and lives in Karaj, told the BBC that he saw what he called a “teenage boy" with a Kalashnikov at a checkpoint on 30 March. “His moustache hadn’t fully grown," he said.

Tina, who is also in her 20s and comes from Rasht, told the BBC that she saw young people on duty in a square in the city on 14 March.

“They were wearing masks so their faces were covered. But it’s obvious that they are children; I can see it from their eyes. They are short as well. They stand in front of those adult forces. I feel pity for them and I get scared at the same time."

News world Children At War? Iran Recruiting Kids As Young As 12 To ‘Defend Homeland’: Report

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