Amid the war with Iran, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked on Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures to give assurances to American mothers worried that “we’re going to have a draft, that they’re going to see their sons and daughters get involved in this.”
Leavitt replied that a draft was not part of President Donald Trump’s plan right now but that he “wisely keeps his options on the table.”
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told CBS News that “we’re willing to go as far as we need to in order to be successful.”
U.S. federal law allows for compulsory conscription under emergency or extraordinary security conditions outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution and 10 U.S. Code § 246. This would apply to able-bodied men between the ages of 17 and 45 who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, U.S. citizens. It would also apply to female members of the U.S. National Guard and some other women in health care occupations.
The U.S. used conscription in six conflicts: the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Active conscription ended in January 1973, and the U.S. Armed Forces moved to an all-volunteer military, although conscription remains in place on a contingency basis.
All male U.S. citizens and immigrants between the ages of 18 and 25, whether documented or undocumented but residing in the United States, are required to register with the Selective Service System (SSS). There’s no clear indication that conscription will be used in the U.S.’s conflict with Iran.
If conscription were used, however, Americans would be exempt under the following circumstances, according to SSS:
1. Individuals on non-immigrant visas
2. People who were continuously institutionalized or confined from 30 days before they turned 18 through age 25
3. People who are confined to home and cannot leave without medical assistance
4. Conscientious objectors can file a claim for exemption based on religious or moral objection to war if a draft is authorized.
5. Men serving on active duty, if serving continuously from age 18 to age 26.
6. Students at U.S. service academies and certain military colleges
7. Ministers
8. Certain elected officials who hold office
The U.S. and Israel have been carrying out coordinated attacks on Iranian military and strategic targets, with officials describing the action as a preemptive operation targeting the country’s nuclear capabilities. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the strikes. Mojtaba Khamenei, his son, was named his successor on Sunday.
Iran launched retaliatory strikes across U.S. bases in the Middle East and has repeatedly denied pursuing a nuclear weapon.
On Monday, Trump told CBS News: “I think the war is very complete, pretty much.” He added that Iran has “no navy, no communications” and “no Air Force,” and that the United States is “very far” ahead of his initial estimate that the war could last four to five weeks.
He said on Tuesday that “death, fire and fury” will rain upon Iran if it continues to hinder the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz, which has led to a surge in global oil prices.
Israel ordered residents in southern Lebanon to evacuate early Tuesday ahead of strikes it said were aimed at the Iran-backed militant and political group, Hezbollah.
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