Amnesty International has accused Iranian authorities of committing a war crime by recruiting children as young as 12 into military activities linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

In a statement released on Wednesday, the organization said the recruitment campaign—announced by officials of the IRGC’s Mohammad Rasoul Allah Corps in Tehran—encourages minors to enlist through Basij bases located in mosques across the capital.

According to Amnesty International, eyewitness reports and verified videos show children carrying weapons and participating in checkpoint duties and patrols alongside IRGC forces.

Erika Guevara-Rosas said the practice constitutes a serious violation of international law.

“Recruiting children under 15 into armed forces amounts to a war crime,” she stated, adding that Iranian authorities are placing children in life-threatening situations.

Children Deployed in Military Roles

The report indicates that minors have been assigned roles including checkpoint control, patrol operations, logistical support, and assistance in distributing supplies. Visual evidence reviewed by Amnesty shows children holding assault rifles and appearing in militarized public events in cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, and Kermanshah.

Eyewitnesses from several cities reported seeing boys, some believed to be between 13 and 16 years old, stationed at checkpoints and carrying firearms.

One witness in Tehran said a child appeared “too young to carry the weapon properly,” while another in Karaj described a teenager holding a Kalashnikov rifle despite not appearing fully grown.

Casualty Highlights Risks

Amnesty also cited the case of an 11-year-old boy, Alireza Jafari, who was killed during a drone strike while present at a checkpoint in Tehran. Iranian authorities confirmed the child was killed while “serving,” raising concerns about the direct exposure of minors to active military targets.

The organization warned that ongoing strikes targeting IRGC facilities increase the risk to children deployed in such roles.

Legal Concerns

The report highlights that Iranian law allows the recruitment of minors through the Basij structure. Under existing regulations, children under 15 can be enlisted in certain categories, while those aged 15 and above may take on more active roles.

Amnesty International stated that such provisions violate international standards, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Iran is a party.

The organization called on Iranian authorities to immediately halt the recruitment of individuals under 18 and to release all minors currently involved in military activities.

Background

The report comes amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing military exchanges involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Amnesty noted that civilians, including children, have already been among the casualties of recent attacks.

The organization also pointed to a historical pattern of child recruitment in Iran, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s.