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Iran Expands Civilian Military Training to Women and Minors Ahead of 2026 Conflict Plans
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Women Trained on Missiles in Jan Fada Campaign
State-run Iranian media released images showing female supporters handling the Misagh shoulder-launched surface-to-air missile system, alongside firearms and first-person-view drones. The training formed part of the Jan Fada (“self-sacrifice”) movement’s inaugural military course, which spanned several Iranian cities and included urban-warfare drills, first-aid, wilderness survival and rappelling. Although Iranian law exempts women from compulsory service, the Basij Mostazafan unit is legally required to offer optional basic training to female citizens, a provision cited by the Austrian Centre for Country of Origin and Asylum Research and Documentation.
Legal Framework and Recruitment of Minors
Under Article 32 of Iran’s Army Law, women may serve only in medical or health roles, while Article 151 of the Constitution obliges the Basij to provide basic training facilities for women. Despite these restrictions, reports indicate the regime has turned to under-age recruits to address personnel shortages, a practice that contravenes international law. In March, Rahim Nadali, cultural and artistic deputy of the IRGC’s Mohammad Rasoulollah Corps, told Iran’s Defa Press Agency that children aged 12 and older would be enlisted to assist at checkpoints. This statement followed the Basij Teachers Organization’s report of the death of 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, who was killed while “on duty” at a military checkpoint.
Official Statements on Mobilization
Sasan Zare, spokesperson for the Jan Fada Movement, told the Iranian Student News Agency that the self-sacrifice ethos reflects the national identity of Iranians and that support from abroad is growing. She framed the training as preparation for a potential confrontation with the United States and Israel scheduled for September 18, 2026 in Tehran.
Implications for Future Conflict
The visible inclusion of women and minors in paramilitary drills signals a broadening of Iran’s mobilization strategy as it readies for the slated 2026 confrontation. Legal ambiguities regarding women’s roles and the enlistment of children raise concerns about compliance with international humanitarian standards and may affect the regime’s domestic legitimacy and external diplomatic posture.