Could You Be Drafted? Fears of WWIII Spark Fresh Questions Amid U.S. Strikes on Iran
As tensions erupt in the Middle East following missile exchanges between Israel and Iran — and with President Donald Trump ordering direct strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities — whispers of World War III have exploded across headlines and social media.
But if the worst were to unfold, who would be called upon to defend the nation?
Operation Midnight Hammer: Trump Authorizes Strikes on Iran
On June 21, the United States launched a surprise military campaign titled Operation Midnight Hammer, targeting Iran’s nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. The airstrikes, personally authorized by President Trump, were intended to cripple what the administration called Iran’s renewed nuclear ambitions.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump declared:
“We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran… A full payload of BOMBS was dropped on the primary site, Fordow. All planes are safely on their way home.”
He followed with a stark warning:
“ANY RETALIATION BY IRAN AGAINST THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL BE MET WITH FORCE FAR GREATER THAN WHAT WAS WITNESSED TONIGHT.”
Just days later, Trump expressed frustration at both Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire that had barely begun.
“Israel, as soon as we made the deal, they came out and dropped a load of bombs… I’m not happy with them. I’m not happy with Iran either,” Trump told reporters.
“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*** they’re doing.”
At the NATO summit in the Netherlands, Trump struck a more tempered note regarding Russia, calling Putin “misguided” but adding:
“He would like to get out of this thing. It’s a mess for him.”
Experts Warn: The World May Already Be at War
With U.S. aircraft carriers USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson now deployed to the Middle East, military analysts say the region is primed for escalation. Russian General Apti Alaudinov recently warned that World War III may already be underway — whether or not the world admits it.
Back home, questions are mounting: If this conflict spreads, could the United States reinstate the military draft?
The Draft: Who Could Be Called to Serve?
The Selective Service System (SSS) — first established in 1917 — remains the legal mechanism for conscripting Americans into military service. While the draft hasn’t been used since 1973, it has never been abolished.
Currently, all male U.S. citizens and residents between 18 and 25 must register, including:
- Green card holders
- Refugees and asylum seekers
- Undocumented immigrants
Failure to register can result in fines up to $250,000 and loss of access to federal benefits.
In the event of a draft, a lottery based on birth dates would be used, with 20-year-olds typically called first. Medical and psychological screenings determine eligibility. Those deemed unfit would be exempted or deferred.
Exemptions and Deferments: Who Might Be Spared?
Certain groups may qualify for exemptions or deferments:
- Conscientious objectors (opposed to war for religious or moral reasons)
- Full-time college students (can delay service)
- Primary caregivers and parents
- Essential workers (healthcare, infrastructure, tech)
- Ministers and clergy
- Elected officials
- Certain dual nationals or those institutionalized since childhood
Though debates around including women have circulated, no law currently mandates draft registration for females.
History Repeats? Or a New Kind of War?
The last man drafted into the U.S. military was Dwight Elliott Stone, a 24-year-old plumber from Sacramento, who reported for duty on June 30, 1973. The draft was officially halted in January of that year — but never abolished.
Now, as international conflict deepens and alliances shift, the possibility of mass mobilization no longer feels like Cold War fiction. And while no formal reactivation has been announced, some GOP lawmakers and former officials have floated the idea of a “national service mandate” — reigniting a political debate once thought buried.
As one user quipped on X (formerly Twitter):
“If only Donald Trump was President then World War 3 wouldn’t have just started in the Middle East. Oh.”
For now, the draft remains dormant. But if the world hurtles toward a wider war, Americans may once again face the sobering question: “Could I be called to serve?”