All males of the required age are subject to the draft in Iran, however there are exceptions for those who cannot serve on account of physical or mental health problems or disabilities. (Ref: #20930: section 5.1.1, #20940: sections 1.2.1, 2.4.1)
Sources indicate that military service is mandatory for all males in Iran (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013; Human Rights Watch Dec. 2010, 23). The US CIA World Factbook states that, as of 2012, the age of compulsory military service for men in Iran is 18 (US 26 Feb. 2014). (Ref: #20910)
US CIA World Factbook states that volunteers start at 16 (US 26 Feb. 2014). Sources state that, the recruitment age of the Basij Forces ["a paramilitary volunteer militia" (Al Jazeera 24 Apr. 2012)] is 15 (Ref: #20910)
According to the December 2013 General Official Report of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs: ‘Students are eligible for deferment of military service. They are expected to enter military service within six months after finishing their studies. In practice, this period can be extended due to administrative delays. (Ref: #20930, section 7.1.1)
The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) World Factbook indicates that the military branches in Iran in 2011 consisted 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); Law Enforcement Forces. (US 26 Feb. 2014) (Ref: #20910)
According to a 2019 report by the US Department Intelligence Agency (DIA), Iran’s armed forces is comprised of the (Ref: #20940, section 4.1.1):
Artesh (Farsi for ‘army’), consisting of Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, Air Defense Force, estimated 420,000 personnel
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), consisting of Ground Force, Navy, Aerospace Force, Qods Force, Basij, estimated 640,000 personnel, including 450,000 Basij (reserves)
Law Enforcement Force, the national police force (commonly referred to by its Farsi acronym NAJA), estimated 200,000 to 300,000 personnel
Conscripts reportedly comprised more than 50 percent of the IRGC (most volunteers were reportedly recruited from the Basij Forces). The same source described the Basij as a ‘… volunteer paramilitary group with local organizations across the country, which sometimes acts as an auxiliary law enforcement unit subordinate to IRGC ground forces' (Ref: #20940: section 4.1.3)
The Washington Post wrote in February 2021 that conscripts were ‘… not allowed to select which branch of the military they enter. Iranian officials have said that roughly 400,000 men show up for their compulsory service each year and are sent to either the army, a law enforcement agency or the IRGC.’ (Ref: #20940: sections 5.2.3, 5.2.4). The DFAT report noted that ‘One cannot choose in which force and geographic location to undertake military service.’ (Ref: #20940: section 7.1.1)
Sources indicate that the duration of compulsory military service ranges from 18 to 24 months (BBC 26 Dec. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013). According to two sources, the length of service depends on the geographical location of the conscript (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; BBC 26 Dec. 2013). The BBC reports that, according to Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), General Musa Kamali, the Vice Commander of the Headquarters for Human Resources of the Iranian Armed Forces, was quoted as saying that "the duration of military service is 18 months in combat and in insecure regions, 19 months in the regions which are deprived of facilities and have bad weather conditions, 21 months in other places, and 24 months in government offices" (26 Dec. 2013) (Ref: #20910)
Rank insignia of the Iranian Military:
Conscripts ranks:
Conscripts receive assigned ranks based on their education. During their service, a conscript’s rank normally does not change.
The highest rank assigned to a conscript is changed multiple times in the last decades but generally the highest rank assigned to the Doctors, PhDs, Masters and equal is “First Lieutenant”. Bachelors and equal receive “Second Lieutenant”. College and equal degrees would receive “Third Lieutenant” rank. High school diploma and others would receive “Private” to “Sergeant” ranks. These rules changed multiple times but it is almost the same as above.
Salary: Conscripts receive a low payment of around $1 per day ($30USD per month) (Ref: #20930: section 8.1.1) Salaries are low, although in March 2022 it was reported that pay was doubled to US$100 (£88.50) per month (Ref: #20940: section 2.4.9)
Conditions for conscripts in Iran are reported to be poor with poor pay, low morale, poor living conditions and malnutrition. There have been reports of harassment and abuse of conscripts due to their faith, leading to self-harm and suicide, including in suspicious circumstances. However, in general, the conditions and/or treatment likely to be faced by a person required to undertake compulsory military service would not be so harsh as to amount to a real risk of serious harm (Ref: #20930, section 2.4.8)
Specific military training is limited and that tasks may involve activities such as office work, gardening, driving, cleaning and labouring. Educated and talented conscripts can serve at knowledge-based companies. There is no evidence to indicate conscripts are likely to be involved in acts contrary to the basic rules of human conduct whilst performing military service in Iran (Ref: #20940: section 2.4.6) Sina Azodi wrote that ‘Since the Iran-Iraq War ended in 1988, most Iranian conscripts have seen no combat, and their military service is often devoid of actual combat training.’ (Ref: #20940: section 7.1.5)
There are multiple situations that a male person could be exempt from the military service including, the only caretaker of the family, only son when the father is older than 65, active members of Basij, those who work in industries vital to the government or military, exceptional scholastic achievement, medical exceptions, sexual minorities and more. Please refer to #20910 and #20940 section 2.4.2.
There were short periods that buy out option was available for male persons within special conditions, mainly draftees living out of the country.
General Kamali reportedly added that "for those who live outside of the country, the option of paying off military service had been cancelled earlier this year. For those who live in the country, paying to avoid military service has not always been offered" (Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013). Further information about payment in lieu of compulsory military service could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. (Ref: #20920)
Draft evaders are liable for prosecution. A person who deserts from the army will have to continue military service upon return if he is under the age of 40. Evading military service for up to a year during peace time or 2 months during war can result in between 3 and 6 months added to a person’s military service. Longer draft evasion (more than 1 year in peacetime or 2 or more months during war) may result in criminal prosecution. (Ref: #20930, section 2.4.11)
If the draftee is absent for longer than three months during peace time (or 15 days during war), the military service will be extended by six months. Longer draft evasion (one year during peace or two months during war) may result in criminal proceedings before a military court. Draft evaders risk losing social benefits and civic rights including their right to work, to education or the right to set up a business. If a draft evader evaded reports for military service voluntarily, the duration of service will be extended by three months, whereas if a draft evader is arrested, he is obliged to serve for an extra six months. (Ref: #20930, section 7.2.2)
Sources state that people who refuse military service cannot get a passport (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Al-Monitor 19 Dec. 2013). The IHRDC adds that failing to serve without an exemption can also result in "a ban on ... leaving the country without special permission" (7 Nov. 2013). Sources note that refusing to serve in the army without an exemption can result in not being granted a driver's license (IHRDC 7 Nov. 2013; Human Rights Watch Dec. 2010, 23). (Ref: #20910, section 4)
Deserters may face imprisonment or, depending on their intentions, considered as mohareb (a person who commits moharebeh, defined as drawing a weapon on the life, property or chastity of people or to cause terror as it creates the atmosphere of insecurity), which can invoke the death penalty. However, there is no indication that such penalties against deserters occur in practice (Ref: #20940: section 2.4.13)
The DFAT report stated that ‘Draft evaders may lose social benefits and civic rights, including access to government jobs and higher education, and the right to establish a business. The government may also refuse to grant draft evaders drivers licenses, revoke their passports or prohibit them from leaving the country without special permission...’ (Ref: #20940: sections 8.3.1, 8.3.2)
A completion card will be issued when the conscript finishes the duration of service.
Old military card versus new military card
Military card formats has changed in the last years. The new card format does not show the organization that the conscript served at (Army / IRGC / Police)
What if a male Iranian has never had the military card?
Not having a military card means the person is still deferring the service because of the study permit or evaded the service.
Exemption cards: The US State Department Bureau of Consular Affairs Iran Reciprocity Schedule noted that: ‘Because military service is mandatory, Iranian men over 18 who were exempt from military service will have exemption cards issued by the General Conscription Department of the Police Force (Niroo-e Intizami Jumhoori-e Islami ). (Ref: #20930, section 5.5.1)
According to the USSD Bureau of Consular Affairs Reciprocity Schedule, ‘Kart-e Sarbazi (military card); Kart-e Payan-e Khedmat doreye Zaroorat (service completion card); or Kart-e Mo’afiyat az khedmate doreye zaroorat (exemption card)’ are issued by the ‘Iranian Public Conscription Organization (since 1980), under the Law Enforcement Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran (NAJA); [or] Imperial Armed Forces (before 1980).’ (Ref #20940: section 5.4.1)