Iran's new military policy could boost birthrates

A correspondent in Tehran

Oct 12, 2014

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) attends National Army Day parade in Tehran April 18, 2013. REUTERS/Hamid Forootan/ISNA/Handout (IRAN - Tags: MILITARY ANNIVERSARY) ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. REUTERS IS UNABLE TO INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, CONTENT, LOCATION OR DATE OF THIS IMAGE. THIS PICTURE IS DISTRIBUTED EXACTLY AS RECEIVED BY REUTERS, AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS. FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - RTXYQFH — Then-Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (C) attends National Army Day parade in Tehran, April 18, 2013. — REUTERS/Hamid Forootan/ISNA/Handout

On Sept. 30, Brig. Gen. Moussa Kamali, Iran's chief conscription officer, announced that compulsory military service in Iran will be extended from 21 to 24 months.

Military service has been a point of conflict between the youth and the establishment over the past three decades, ever since the 1979 revolution. All Iranian males are required to report for military service at age 18. However, college students can receive a temporary educational exemption, while others can seek exemption for medical reasons or if they need to care for elderly parents.