{
  "id": 9118916,
  "title": "Iranian children to be recruited for Islamic Republic’s ‘self-sacrifice’ campaign",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/iranian-children-to-be-recruited-for-islamic-republics-self-sacrifice",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T09:56:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-909286"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Islamic Republic of Iran plans to recruit children under the age of 15 for its Janfada campaign, which promotes self-sacrifice for the nation. Sasan Zare, the spokesperson for the campaign, announced that special training tailored for younger recruits will be provided due to strong demand. However, women are only eligible to enlist after turning 18, while male children will be trained from a younger age. Despite international humanitarian laws prohibiting the recruitment of minors in armed conflict, Iran has previously admitted to recruiting children as young as 12. In March, an 11-year-old boy, Alireza Jafari, was killed while on duty at a military checkpoint. Military training for the Janfada campaign will commence in Tehran this week, with exercises taking place at military centers and in high-traffic public areas, including the iconic Imam Hussein Square. Recruits will undergo training in various aspects of security, war preparation, surveillance, intelligence measures, drone operation, and the potential use of shoulder-launched weapons. The campaign is centered around the slogan \"We have one life, and we give it for Iran,\" which has faced international criticism. The Islamic Republic claims that 26% of the 31 million individuals who have joined the campaign have signed up for military and security duties, including many Iranians living abroad who will soon participate in cultural and educational events related to the campaign.",
  "summary": "The campaign’s spokesperson said it was centered on the cultural slogan, “We have one life, and we give it for Iran,” which he acknowledged had drawn international criticism.",
  "key_points": [
    "Iranian children under 15 to be recruited for Janfada campaign.",
    "Special training for younger recruits despite international laws.",
    "Military training begins in Tehran this week."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}