More than a million Iranian citizens have been called up to reserve in case of a possible ground operation by the United States, reports Mehr.
Iranian media report a significant increase in applications from youth to join the Basij forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and the army, with the intention of participating in combat operations.
The formation of Iran's armed forces, including the regular army (Artesh) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), consists of between 610,000 and 860,000 active military personnel. The IRGC is considered an elite unit with a strength of about 150,000 to 190,000, including ground, air, and naval forces.
The Basij militia, part of the IRGC, has about 90,000 active members and has the capability to mobilize up to 10 million reservists.
According to The Wall Street Journal on March 26, a possible ground operation by the United States in Iran could begin soon. A source, citing three Republican members of Congress, including the chairmen of the armed services committees, did not specify exact timelines.
The Pentagon has already instructed approximately 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division to begin redeployment to the Middle East.
Three days ago, the Israeli government approved the mobilization of up to 400,000 reservists in response to military actions against Iran and Hezbollah, reports The Times of Israel, citing a statement from the Israel Defense Forces.
