The US Army has increased its maximum enlistment age to 42 for the first time in years, as online concern about a possible military draft grows amid heightened tensions involving Iran.
In late February, US and Israeli strikes on Iran intensified the wider conflict, with President Trump saying the operation would continue “throughout the week or as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD!”.
On March 7, Trump also said the US had “already won” the war. Despite that statement, the fighting has continued, alongside reports of a 15-point plan that was first reported by The New York Times.
Against this backdrop, the US Army updated its rules to allow older recruits. Under an Army Regulation released on Friday, Americans can now enlist up to age 42 in the Regular Army, the Army National Guard, and the Army Reserve.
Previously, the enlistment cutoff was 35. The minimum age stays the same: 17 with parental consent, or 18 without it.
The last time the Army set the cap at 42 was in 2006, during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, when eligibility was broadened to help address recruitment challenges and higher personnel needs.
That limit was later reduced again in 2016, returning the maximum enlistment age to 35.
The updated regulation states: “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.”
As tensions have risen, speculation about conscription has surged online, with viral posts and misleading claims contributing to public anxiety about a draft.
Fact-checkers and reporting from AFP have noted that false and unverified posts about mandatory service have spread broadly in recent weeks, particularly after US military actions in the region.
Even so, there has been no indication that conscription is under consideration, despite the volume of discussion on social media.
The situation has also raised persistent questions about how long the conflict could last, with some fearing it could drag on for years.
Trump, however, has insisted progress is being made and has suggested developments are moving in a positive direction.
Speaking at the White House on Tuesday (March 24), he hinted at receiving something from Iran and said the US was “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.”
Pressed for more information, Trump said it was “oil and gas related” but did not provide additional details.
He also said Iran wants “to make a deal,” and claimed his team had held talks with an Iranian leader.
Iran, however, has denied that any such talks have taken place.
Iranian parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf posted on X: “No negotiations have been held with the US.”