With a tight timeline before a deadline set by former US President Donald Trump regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is reportedly preparing for a significant confrontation with the United States. As tensions escalate following recent strikes by the US and Israel, Tehran has asserted its determination to resist, spurring a dramatic increase in volunteer enlistment for military service.

According to state media, approximately 14 million individuals have volunteered to fight should a ground invasion occur. This figure indicates a marked increase, having doubled in just a matter of days. Previously, on February 1, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf noted that around 7 million had expressed their willingness to join the fight. With a population of approximately 90 million, Iran’s mobilised citizenry reflects a widespread commitment to national defence.

The Iranian authorities are actively promoting participation through various means, including state media campaigns and text messages encouraging citizens to enlist. In addition, a call has been extended to retired soldiers to offer their services during this critical time.

Recruitment of Minors Raising Concerns

As part of its mobilisation strategy, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is reportedly accepting children as young as twelve into its ranks. This development has raised serious concerns, with organisations like Amnesty International classifying the recruitment of minors as a potential war crime. Notably, some minors have allegedly been armed, exacerbating the situation.

Rahim Nadali, a cultural representative of the IRGC in Tehran, noted that a programme named “For Iran” is currently enlisting children to engage in supportive roles such as patrols and logistics. This move contradicts Iran’s obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which explicitly forbids the involvement of minors in combat activities. Nadali stated that the lowering of the minimum age was a response to the surge in youth volunteers.

General Hossein Yekta, affiliated with the Basij forces, publicly urged parents to allow their children to assist in guarding security checkpoints. His comments suggest a strategy to involve children in frontline roles in the ongoing conflict, reportedly furthering the government’s militarisation of the youth.

Human Chains as a Civilian Defence Initiative

In addition to the recruitment efforts, Iranian officials have called upon civilians, particularly young people and cultural figures, to form human chains around important infrastructure such as power plants. This response appears to be a direct reaction to Trump’s threats of targeting these facilities should tensions persist.

Alireza Rahimi, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, announced the initiative, stating that this collective action would demonstrate opposition to attacks on public infrastructure. Titled “Iran’s Youth Human Chain for a Bright Future,” this campaign aims to express solidarity with military forces, characterising potential assaults as war crimes.

Trump’s statements have heightened tensions, with his warnings of severe retaliatory measures if the Strait of Hormuz does not become operational by the specified deadline. His remarks, made public on his social media platform, signal an intent to escalate the situation should diplomatic avenues fail. The Iranian government’s mobilisations reflect a persistent defiance against external pressures while highlighting the complexities of civilian involvement in the ongoing conflict.

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