The US Army has raised its maximum enlistment age for the first time in years, as concerns grow over a potential military draft amid escalating tensions with Iran.
Before the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on February 28, killing the country's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the maximum enlistment age for the US Army was 35 years old, while the minimum enlistment age sits at 17, with parental consent, or 18 generally.
However, the US Army has now raised its maximum enlistment age by seven years, even as Trump continues to seek a peace deal with the Middle East.
The president even claimed on March 7 that the US had 'already won' the war, but the conflict still continues, leading to the delivery of a 15-point plan to end the conflict this week.
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The increase of the maximum enlistment age means that Americans up to that 42 can now join the Regular Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve, as per an updated Army Regulation released on Friday.
The last time the Army raised its enlistment age to 42 was in 2006, at the height of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, when the military expanded eligibility to meet soaring troop demands and enlisting challenges.
The Army lowered the enlistment age back to 35 in 2016.
The document reads: “Applicant is eligible for enlistment is applicant is at least 17 years of age and up to and including age 42 (exceptions not authorized).
"Applicants who are 17 years of age (have not reached their 18th birthday) require parental or guardian consent for enlistment through completion of appropriate sections of DD Form 1966.”
Rising tensions with Iran have reignited fears over military conscription, with social media speculation and misinformation fueling public concern about the possibility of a draft.
Fact-checkers and news reports via AFP note that rumors and fake posts about compulsory service have circulated widely in recent weeks, particularly following US military action in the region.
However, there is currently no indication that conscription is being considered, despite the growing anxiety online.
The conflict in Iran has resulted in a lot of questions, namely when the conflict will end; many remain fearful this will go on for years.
However, Trump has insisted that progress is being made and explained how that is happening.
He gave an update about the potential end of the conflict when he spoke in the White House on Tuesday (March 24) and alluded to receiving a gift from Iran and added that the US is ‘dealing with the right people’
He said: “They gave us a present, and the present arrived today. It was a very big present worth a tremendous amount of money. And I’m not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize.
“It was a very nice thing they did. But what it showed me is that we’re dealing with the right people.”
When asked for more detail Trump admitted that it was ‘oil and gas related’ but went no further in his explanation.
Trump also said Iran wants ‘to make a deal,’ and he claimed his team held talks with an Iranian leader.
However, Iran has denied talks have been held.
Iranian parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X: “No negotiations have been held with the US.”
Greg Harris