TEHRAN, Iran — Though Iran has a conservative-dominated parliament, it nonetheless approved a draft bill on July 20 that would allow abortion in the first four months of pregnancy if the woman’s life is in danger or the fetus is malformed.
Before the vote, top lawmakers in Tehran secured the support of Islamic religious leaders in Qom, an important step in deflecting controversy expected over the bill. The bill does not allow abortions for unwanted pregnancies. A further vote is required on the draft bill, but that is usually a formality and cannot reverse the general approval. Some Muslim clerics still oppose the bill, but their opposition is not expected to keep it from becoming law.
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