The ongoing US-Iran conflict has taken a disturbing turn with Amnesty International releasing a report alleging Iran is recruiting children as young as 12 into the military.
The report, published on April 2, states that Iran's IRGC is accepting volunteers aged 12 and above in a recruitment campaign titled 'Homeland-Defending Combatants for Iran'.
According to the report, those interested can register at Basij bases in mosques across Tehran by filling out a required form to join the 'homeland-defending combatants'.
Amnesty International has accused Iran of committing a grave war crime by recruiting children in its conflict with the US, saying that the deployment of child soldiers puts them at grave risk of death and injury.
The report also cited the case of 11-year-old Alireza Jafari, who was killed while accompanying his father, a Basij member, to a checkpoint.
According to the IRGC Recruitment Regulations Law, children aged 12 to 15 are categorised as ordinary Basij members, while those aged 15 and above can become active Basij members.
Amnesty International has called on Iranian authorities to immediately stop their criminal assault on children's rights and prohibit the recruitment of anyone under 18 by the armed forces.
