Details of Military Service Purchase: 10 Million for Undergraduates, 50 Million for Specialist Doctors

The Iranian Parliament has determined the fines for exemption from military service for those who have been absent for 8 years or more. According to ISNA, Mohammad Mahdi Mofatteh, spokesperson for the Joint Commission, stated on the sidelines of the public session on Wednesday, February 15, that 'according to the commission's resolution, those who have been absent from military service for over 8 years can be exempted by paying a fine, and this resolution will be prepared for discussion in the public session after the February 22 holidays.' Mofatteh indicated that the fines for absentees are set at 10 million tomans for those without a diploma, 15 million for high school graduates, 20 million for associate degree holders, 25 million for bachelor's degree holders, 30 million for master's degree holders, 35 million for non-medical PhDs, 40 million for medical doctors, and 50 million for specialist doctors. By paying these fines, these individuals will be exempt from military service. He further emphasized that these fines apply only to those who have been absent for more than 8 years, stating that 'for each additional year of absence beyond 8 years, 10% will be added to the fine amount, and any absence exceeding 6 months will be counted as one year; additionally, married individuals will receive a 5% discount, and for each child, another 5% discount will be applied to the total fines.' However, those holding such exemptions will have differences compared to others who have served in the military. Mofatteh noted that 'holders of these exemption cards will be deprived of parliamentary representation, membership in Islamic councils, and appointments to managerial positions in political and administrative bodies as per Article 5 of the Civil Service Law, and they will not enjoy all the benefits available to those who have served.' Previously, a member of the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament stated that the number of military service absentees with over 10 years of absence exceeds '2 million and 400 thousand.' Abbas Ali Mansouri also mentioned that '300 thousand' educated Iranians abroad cannot return to Iran due to military service absenteeism. These statements were made while another parliament member, Abuzar Nadimi, in a debate, reported the number of military service absentees with over 10 years of absence to be between one and a half to two million. Moussa Kamali, deputy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, also stated on December 22 that 'we have 1 million and 500 thousand young people born after 1976 whose military service status has not yet been clarified.' The military service purchase scheme was previously implemented in Iran in 1998 but was ultimately halted in 2000 following opposition from the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Currently, 108 countries around the world have removed compulsory military service from their programs, and 12 countries, including the United States, have voluntary military service periods. Additionally, in eight countries, the option to fulfill military service through civil activities is provided, and 12 countries, including Israel, utilize a combination of compulsory and volunteer forces to meet their military needs.