Children at War: Iran Deploys 12‑Year‑Olds at Security Checkpoints

In Tehran, Iranian security forces have begun recruiting children as young as 12 to guard checkpoints and assist with security duties, lowering the minimum age for participation as part of a campaign called ‘For Iran’ amid ongoing war pressures.

This is reported by Alarabiya English.

According to journalists, after the start of the war, numerous checkpoints appeared in the Iranian capital, some of which are manned by armed teenagers.

Authorities have reportedly launched a campaign called “For Iran,” under which recruitment for the security forces is taking place. The minimum age for recruits has been lowered to 12 years. Rahim Nadali, an IRGC representative in Tehran, stated that teenagers who wish to join the security forces are allowed to participate.

“Given the age of those wishing to join, we have lowered the minimum age to 12 years old, as children aged 12-13 want to participate,” he said.

Nadali explained that duties for these young recruits include data collection, patrolling, and organizing night convoys. Local residents told reporters they have seen armed teenagers on the streets of the city.

“You drive past, and just 100 meters ahead, several private cars with teenagers armed with Uzi assault rifles stop the cars again,” said one resident.

Another Tehran resident noted that during strikes, areas are immediately surrounded, and teenagers with weapons give orders and fire warning shots into the air.

Additionally, residents report that at night, government supporters organize convoys with loudspeakers and flags, shouting slogans in the streets.

By the way, Iran rejected a United States proposal with potential conditions for ending the war in the Middle East.

Earlier, Trump said that the US and Iran had held talks, following which he ordered a five-day halt to strikes. Later, the Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that there had been no direct talks with the US and that Trump had not abandoned his military plans.

As a reminder, on February 28, the United States launched a military campaign in Iran. As US Vice President J.D. Vance said, the main goal of the United States in relation to Iran is to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

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