Story perspectives

Iran Recruits Child Soldiers Amid Rising U.S.-Israel Tensions

4/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Iran is reportedly recruiting children as young as 12 for military roles tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps amid escalating U.S.-Israel tensions.
The IRGC campaign "Homeland Defending Combatants for Iran" promotes recruitment through mosques and the Basij paramilitary force.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemn the practice as a potential war crime and call for an immediate halt; eyewitnesses say minors perform dangerous tasks, including manning checkpoints.

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Story summary

Iran is reportedly recruiting children as young as 12 for military roles tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps amid escalating U.S.-Israel tensions.
The IRGC campaign "Homeland Defending Combatants for Iran" promotes recruitment through mosques and the Basij paramilitary force.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemn the practice as a potential war crime and call for an immediate halt; eyewitnesses say minors perform dangerous tasks, including manning checkpoints.