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Abortion on the rise in Iran

According to government statistics an estimated 250,000 Iranian women each year have illegal abortions.
ZARAND, IRAN - FEBRUARY 23: Rescuers and survivors sift through the remains of buildings destroyed in an earthquake which struck on February 23, 2005 in the Zarand region of Iran.  Official sources in Iran are estimating a death toll of around 500 from the quake which hit 6.4 on the richter scale.  (Photo by Getty Images)

The paradoxical nature of Iranian society more often than not results in people covertly performing the forbidden. As this nature dictates, delving into the root of such social issues can be tough in the absence of credible statistics.

Abortion is illegal in Iran, unless in exceptional cases of health threats endangering the mother or fetus. In such cases, an official abortion permit is issued and the pregnancy can be ended at a public hospital. Medically legitimate pregnancies, however, are nipped in the bud early, or somewhat later in the course of the pregnancy under concealed circumstances.

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