Iran warns US citizens against debt-based military recruitment

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has issued a warning to American citizens regarding a proposal floated by an Israeli media outlet to recruit Americans with student loan and credit card debt for military service in a potential war with Iran.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Baghaei reacted to an opinion column in The Jerusalem Post that suggested using debt forgiveness as an incentive for Americans to enlist in the military to continue a war with Iran. He wrote: "Americans, ask yourselves one question: Why should your sons and daughters be offered debt forgiveness in exchange for fighting and dying in a war Israel wants continued & expanded?"

Baghaei highlighted the column, stating: "An opinion column in The Jerusalem Post is openly floating exactly that idea: using student-loan and credit-card debt to recruit Americans for war with Iran." He further cautioned: "Your lives. Your taxes. Someone else’s war. Do not let anyone turn you into the cannon fodder - and the bill - for a war you never chose."

Concluding his remarks, Baghaei said: "Do not let anyone turn your children into mercenaries for their illegal 'war of choice'."

The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with ongoing conflicts in the region. The Iranian official's comments were reported by Mehr News Agency (MNA).