IRGC Reports Identification of Illegal Abortion Centers and Arrest of Their Operators

The commander of the IRGC's 'Sayyid al-Shuhada' in Tehran announced the identification of unauthorized abortion centers in Tehran province by security agencies and stated that action against these centers is part of the 'Nafas' plan. According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Mohammad Qurban Valizadeh mentioned that there is a need for 'significant effort' in the 'Youth Population' headquarters and that obstacles must be removed through the efforts of the agencies. Gholamreza Soleimani, head of the Basij Organization, also stated on December 1 that 'currently, 200 cultural centers combating abortion have been established by the Basij in the country, and this number will increase to 300 by the end of the year.' Soleimani mentioned that over 70,000 infertile couples have been covered, and it is planned that in the next five years, one and a half million couples will benefit from the services of this plan. The crackdown on abortion was initiated following Ali Khamenei's emphasis on the necessity of increasing the population in Iran. Khamenei's approach to population growth ultimately led to the announcement on August 6 of this year by the head of the 'Youth Population, Family Health, and Schools' center of the Ministry of Health regarding the formation of the 'Nafas' group to combat abortion in 250 cities across Iran. Saber Jabari Farouji stated that the 'Nafas' group, supported by the Medical Basij in Mashhad, has prevented 4,700 abortions with its expansion to 250 cities. The judiciary of the Islamic Republic also announced in 2022 that it would identify and interrogate individuals who illegally operate in areas related to abortion. At that time, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje'i, head of the judiciary, instructed officials and deputies to pursue the implementation of laws related to 'population' with all their might and increased seriousness. In this context, the governor of Tehran, on July 7, 2022, criticized the easy and immediate access of people to abortion centers and called for police action against these centers. Mohsen Mansouri stated that 'approximately 370,000 fetuses are illegally aborted in Iran each year, which is a significant number and this practice must be stopped.' The 'Family Support and Youth Population' law was issued in November 2021. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, in December 2013, during a meeting with members of the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council, stated: 'One of the dangers that, when one thinks deeply about it, makes one shudder, is the issue of population.' Concerns of 'Youth Population' officials regarding the increase in 'abortion' Voting to lift the abortion ban; 7 US states voted positively Negative consequences of the 'Youth Population' law in Iran; decrease in referrals for screening coinciding with an increase in chromosomal disorders in newborns A health ministry official reported the registration of at least 1,000 abortions per day. According to an official, the Islamic Republic has formed a group to combat abortion in 250 cities.