Member of Parliament: Over Two Million Individuals Are Absent from Military Service

A member of the National Security Commission of the Iranian Parliament announced that the number of individuals absent from military service for more than 10 years exceeds "two million and 400 thousand people." Abbasali Mansouri also stated that "300 thousand" educated Iranians abroad cannot return to Iran due to their absence from military service. According to the news agency Khabar Online, he said on Friday, December 25, during a television debate that more than two million and 400 thousand individuals have been absent from military service for over 10 years. He added: "At the same time, 300 thousand people abroad, who usually hold a doctorate, wish to return to Iran but cannot due to this reason." These statements come as another member of parliament, Abuzar Nadimi, in the same debate, estimated the number of individuals absent from military service for over 10 years to be between one and a half to two million. Moussa Kamali, deputy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic, also stated on December 13 that "we have one million and 500 thousand young people born after 1976 whose military service status has not yet been clarified." The Iranian government proposed in the budget bill for the year 1394 (2015) to sell military service for those who have been absent for 10 years to the parliament. According to clause "T" of Note 16 of this bill, which was presented to the parliament on December 7, it states: "The government is allowed to exempt all individuals who have been absent from military service for more than 10 years by paying a fine for the duration of their absence." According to commanders of the Iranian Armed Forces, the exemption amount for these individuals will be determined based on their presence inside or outside the country, educational qualifications, and duration of absence, and currently, the amounts considered range from 20 million to 50 million tomans. Mehdi Koochakzadeh, a representative from Tehran in the parliament, also called during this television debate for the continuation of restrictions such as disqualification from parliamentary representation for those who purchase military service, while only lifting restrictions like obtaining a driver's license and passport. Individuals absent from military service in Iran are deprived of rights such as obtaining a driver's license, passport, the right to employment in government centers, and candidacy in parliamentary and city council elections. Hossein Ali Hajideligani, a member of the Budget and Planning Commission of the parliament, also stated in this debate: "I am certain that if this plan is examined, it will become clear that there are some 'aaghazadeh' (children of influential families) who will be exempt under this clause, and this clause has only been proposed to solve the problem of these aaghazadeh." In response to these remarks, Abbasali Mansouri said: "In fact, aaghazadeh are quickly seeking their military service completion cards because they intend to trade and leave the country." The military service purchase plan 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 worldwide have removed compulsory military service from their programs, and 12 countries, including the United States, have voluntary military service. Additionally, in eight countries, the option to serve the designated military period through civil activities is considered, and 12 countries, including Israel, use a combination of compulsory and volunteer forces to meet their military needs.