Conscription in Iran

Last updated
Iranian soldiers at the funeral of their comrade who was killed at the age of 18 during a conflict with smugglers Conscription in Iran - Military service (15).jpg
Iranian soldiers at the funeral of their comrade who was killed at the age of 18 during a conflict with smugglers

All young men who reach the age of 18 must spend about two years of compulsory military service in the Iranian army or the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. [1] Often, the General staff of the armed forces of Iran chooses where people will serve, and a person cannot choose where to serve. [1] The length of conscription is between 18 months to 2 years. [1] [2]

Contents

Before the 1979 revolution, women were also forced to serve in the military. [3] However, after the establishment of the Islamic Republic, some Ayatollahs considered women's military service to be disrespectful to women by the Pahlavi government and banned women's military service in Iran. [4] Therefore, Iranian women and girls were completely exempted from military service, which caused Iranian men and boys to oppose. [5] In 2023, the military is the process of relaxing the ban on women's military service. [6]

In Iran, men who refuse to go to military service are deprived of their citizenship rights, such as employment, health insurance, [7] continuing their education at university, [8] finding a job, going abroad, opening a bank account, [9] etc. [10] Iranian boys have so far opposed mandatory military service and demanded that military service in Iran become a job like in other countries, but the Islamic Republic is opposed to this demand. [11] Some Iranian military commanders consider the elimination of conscription or improving the condition of soldiers as a security issue and one of Ali Khamenei's powers as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, [11] [12] so they treat it with caution. [13] In Iran, usually prosperous and wealthy people are exempted from conscription. [14] [15] Some other boys can be exempted from conscription due to their fathers serving in the Iran-Iraq war. [16] [17]

Women's military service before the 1979 revolution. After the establishment of the Islamic Republic, women's military service was banned. Girl soldiers in Iran.jpg
Women's military service before the 1979 revolution. After the establishment of the Islamic Republic, women's military service was banned.

This period for military service is divided into two parts; The basic training period is about 2 months in some determined garrisons, and after that, they are sent to their main destination garrison. The conscripts do not have any authority to select the branches for serving this compulsory period. When the applicants submit their applications, the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran decides to assign them to different organizations based on their needs and availability. These garrisons belong to different branches consisting of the Islamic Republic of Iran Regular Forces (Artesh): Ground Forces, Navy, Air Force (IRIAF), Khatemolanbia Air Defense Headquarters; Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah-e Pasdaran-e Enqelab-e Eslami, IRGC): Ground Resistance Forces, Navy, Aerospace Force, Quds Force (special operations). There is also, Non-military service (Civilian Service) (Persian : امریه read "Amriyeh") is a substitute for military service.

Non-Military Conscription (Persian : سرباز امریه)

While non-military options such as Amriyeh present an attractive alternative to some, they are not without their shortcomings. Despite the apparent allure of avoiding military uniform, performing official tasks, and potentially securing post-conscription employment, these options can also breed intense competition and demands for applicants. It's important to note that these options require individuals to meet stringent requirements such as high academic achievement, research experience, publications, and innovative ideas. This effectively excludes a significant portion of potential applicants who may not have had the same opportunities to meet these standards. Moreover, the organizations eligible to hire such conscripts, such as various ministries and knowledge-based organizations, are restricted and can limit opportunities for wider employment.

History

Iranian soldier with his commander (1950s) Iranian soldier with his commander (1950s).jpg
Iranian soldier with his commander (1950s)

Conscription was first introduced by Reza Shah in June 1925 and approved as law by the National Consultative Assembly. At that time every male person who had reached 21 years old must serve in the military for 2 years. However, as the country needed 100,000 men and the qualified population then was 1,000,000, they announced just one man between every 10 men must serve in the military. [21] [22]

Conscription time

Conscription time is shown in months in each year:

Female Conscription

Before the 1979 Iranian Revolution, both men and women were conscripted. Post-revolution, the law changed and women were no longer subject to conscription. [23] [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conscription</span> Compulsory enrollment into national or military service

Conscription, also known as the draft in American English, is the practice in which the mandatory enlistment in a national service, mainly a military service, is enforced by law. Conscription dates back to antiquity and it continues in some countries to the present day under various names. The modern system of near-universal national conscription for young men dates to the French Revolution in the 1790s, where it became the basis of a very large and powerful military. Most European nations later copied the system in peacetime, so that men at a certain age would serve 1 to 8 years on active duty and then transfer to the reserve force.

Prostitution is illegal in Iran, and incurs various punishments ranging from fines and jail terms to execution for repeat offenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ali Akbar Ghoreishi</span> Iranian Ayatollah

AyatollahSeyed Ali Akbar Ghoreishi is an Iranian Shiite cleric, author and politician. He is a member of 1st, 2nd, 3rd 4th, 5th and 6th Assembly of Experts from electorate West Azerbaijan. Ghoreishi won with 549,011 votes. Emblem of Research by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, was awarded to him. His son Mehdi Ghoreishi is the representative of the Supreme Leader in West Azerbaijan and Imam Jumu'ah Friday prayer of Urmia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hassan Ameli</span> Iranian Ayatollah, author and politician (born 1962)

AyatollahSeyed Hassan Ameli Kalkhoran is an Iranian Shiite cleric, author and politician. He is a member of 4th, 5th and 6th Assembly of Experts from Ardabil Province electorate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Amir Tataloo</span> Iranian-Azerbaijani singer (born 1987)

AmirHossein Maghsoudloo, known professionally as Amir Tataloo, is an Iranian-Azerbaijani singer, rapper, songwriter. He is one of Iran’s most famous and controversial artists for his full body tattoo and his frequent open dialogue toward politics and social aspects of Iran's younger generations. He is part of the first generation of the Iranian underground hip hop scene and also one of the first R&B singers in Persian. He is currently in Iran and under arrest for criticizing the Iranian government's human rights record in his songs and on social media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kowsar Women Football League</span> Association football league in Iran

The Kowsar Women Football League is a women's football league, run by the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran. At the top of the Iranian football league system, it is the country's primary competition for the sport. It was established in 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fakhreddin Mousavi</span> Iranian Ayatollah, judge and politician (1930-2021)

Ayatollah Fakhraddin Mousavi Naneh Karani was an Iranian judge and politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yousef Tabatabai Nejad</span> Iranian Ayatollah (born 1944)

(Seyyed) Yousef Tabatabai Nejad is an Iranian Shia cleric and Friday leading prayer that represents the Isfahan Province in Iran's Assembly of Experts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parinaz Izadyar</span> Iranian actress (born 1985)

Parinaz Izadyar is an Iranian actress. Izadyar is mostly known for her willingness to play dramatic roles, making her one of the most acclaimed actresses of her generation. She has received various accolades, including a Pesaro International Film Festival Award and a Dhaka International Film Festival Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Iranian presidential election</span>

Presidential elections were held in Iran on 18 June 2021, the thirteenth since the establishment of the Islamic Republic in 1979. Ebrahim Raisi, the then Chief Justice of Iran, was declared the winner in a highly controversial election. The election began with the mass disqualification of popular candidates by the Guardian Council, and broke records of the lowest turnout in Iranian electoral history, as well as had the highest share of protest blank, invalid and lost votes despite a declaration by the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, considering protest voting religiously forbidden (haraam) as it would "weaken the regime." Reporters Without Borders reported 42 cases of journalists being summoned or threatened for writing about candidates, and the chief of the police threatened people who discouraged others to vote.

Esmaeel Azar or Amir Esmaeel Azar is a professor of Persian literature and director of the Department of Persian Language at the Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran, and director of the Farhangban Cultural and Artistic Institute. He also works as a presenter on literary programs on Iranian television, including the "Watching the Oath and the Beginning of the Word". He is a member of the Art commission at the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, Director of the Persian Literature Department at the Economic Cooperation Organization, Member of the Naming Committee at the National Organization for Civil Registration of Iran, member of the scientific commissions of the Public Libraries of Iran and a member of the board of directors of the Comparative Literature Association of Iran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bibliography of Rasul Jafarian</span> Iranian author bibliography

Bibliography of Rasul Jafarian is a list of books published by Rasul Jafarian, cleric, translator, writer and researcher of Iranian history.

<i>Squad of Girls</i> 2022 Iranian film

Squad of Girls is a 2022 Iranian war drama film directed by Monir Gheidi and written by Gheidi, Milad Akbarnejad and Ebrahim Amini. it revolves around the Battle of Khorramshahr of 1980. The film screened for the first time at the 40th Fajr Film Festival where it won an award, a honorary diploma and earned 5 nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Correspondence between Barack Obama and Ali Khamenei</span> Correspondence between the President of the United States and the Supreme Leader of Iran

Correspondence between Barack Obama and Ali Khamenei started with direct and confidential letters sent by US President Barack Obama to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei aimed at persuading him to negotiate. Ali Shamkhani, Representative of the Supreme Leader and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran, confirmed that his country had responded to some of Barack Obama's letters to the Iranian leader, which focused mainly on the issue of Iran's nuclear program. This was the first time that Iran had confirmed such correspondence with the President of the United States. Earlier, domestic and foreign media reported on Barack Obama's letters to Khamenei, which in one case were confirmed by Hassan Firouzabadi, Chief-of-Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, as a sign of the US government's realism.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Balochi needlework</span> Type of handicraft made by the Baloch people

Balochi needlework is a type of handicraft made by the Baloch people. It is considered a heritage art, has been recognized by UNESCO, and it sells internationally. The Baloch people are native to the Balochistan region of South and Western Asia, encompassing the countries of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan.

<i>Eslahatnews</i> Newspaper

Eslahat News is a news agency in Iran. This media is closely related to the reformist political current in Iran.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Iran Mission Center</span> U.S. government organization responsible for counter-Iran efforts

The establishment of the Iran Mission Center was proposed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in June 2017. This new center was established with the mission of collecting and analyzing information related to the country of Iran. The center has the responsibility to gather all the personnel and analysts related to operations about Iran from other parts of the CIA organization.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hoda Zeinolabedin</span> Iranian actress (born 1989)

Hoda Zeinolabedin is an Iranian actress. She has received various accolades, including a Hafez Award, in addition to nominations for two Crystal Simorghs and an Iran's Film Critics and Writers Association Award.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "سربازی اجباری؛ نیروی کار ارزان در دست نظامیان". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  2. ↑ "Did you know conscription length in Iran is 30 years?". Aftab (in Persian). 2010. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Iran - Military Conscription". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  4. ↑ "مباحثه خواندنی آیت‌الله صافی‌گلپایگانی و آیت‌الله خزعلی در مجلس خبرگان بر سرآموزش نظامی زنان". خبرآنلاین (in Persian). 2011-04-03. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  5. ↑ "جام نیوز :: JamNews - دختران ایرانی به سربازی می روند؟". 2016-09-13. Archived from the original on 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  6. ↑ "تصاویری متفاوت از زنان ارتشِ ایران". Bartarinha. 1 March 2023.
  7. ↑ "مرکز پژوهشها - قانون خدمت وظیفه عمومی". 2020-02-10. Archived from the original on 2020-02-10. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  8. ↑ "اخطار سازمان وظیفه عمومی: داوطلبان کنکور امسال وضعیت سربازی خود را روشن کنند". خبرآنلاین (in Persian). 2020-08-23. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  9. ↑ tebyan.net (2010-07-29). "اگر سربازی نروید ..." fa (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  10. ↑ "مشمولان غایب سربازی از دریافت چه خدماتی محروم می‌شوند؟- اخبار پلیس - اخبار اجتماعی تسنیم | Tasnim". خبرگزاری تسنیم | Tasnim (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  11. 1 2 "سربازی اجباری؛ نیروی کار ارزان در دست نظامیان". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  12. ↑ "سازمان سربازی ناجا - فرمايشات رهبری". 2018-03-11. Archived from the original on 2018-03-11. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  13. ↑ "یک قرن با پوتین و کلاه سربازی، از 'قبله عالم' تا 'ولی امر'". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  14. ↑ فردا, رادیو (2022-01-30). "بازگشت فروش خدمت سربازی در ایران؛ این بار تنها برای افراد مرفه". رادیو فردا (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  15. ↑ "پولدارها دوباره سربازی نمی‌روند!". خبرآنلاین (in Persian). 2022-01-30. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  16. ↑ mizanonline.ir (2023-03-16). "شرایط دریافت معافیت جانبازی برای مشمولان". fa (in Persian). Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  17. ↑ "معافیت با جانبازی پدر". 2019-03-16. Archived from the original on 2019-03-16. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  18. ↑ "Iran - Military Conscription". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  19. ↑ "جام نیوز :: JamNews - دختران ایرانی به سربازی می روند؟". 2016-09-13. Archived from the original on 2016-09-13. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  20. ↑ "مباحثه خواندنی آیت‌الله صافی‌گلپایگانی و آیت‌الله خزعلی در مجلس خبرگان بر سرآموزش نظامی زنان". خبرآنلاین (in Persian). 2011-04-03. Retrieved 2023-03-16.
  21. ↑ "Review of Iran's conscription". ISNA (in Persian). 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  22. ↑ "conscription law approval". Donyaye eghtesad (in Persian). 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  23. ↑ "Why girls do not serve for military?" (in Persian). Religious answer center. 2006. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
  24. ↑ "Why girls do not go for military service?". Jam news. 2013. Archived from the original on 13 September 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.