A wave of domestic violence in Iran has claimed the lives of at least 10 women and 3 children over the past 10 days. These harrowing incidents reveal deep societal and legal issues surrounding violence against women and families.
Borujerd (January 26, 2025): On Sunday night, a 37-year-old man fatally shot his wife during a domestic argument and then committed suicide, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. The perpetrator’s motive was cited as “family disputes.”
Maragheh (January 26, 2025): A 37-year-old woman was stabbed to death by her 43-year-old husband in Maragheh. IRNA news agency reported that the suspect fled the scene but was arrested nearby. He attributed his actions to “family disputes.”
Kermanshah (January 25, 2025): In a tragic incident, 35-year-old Sima Moradi and her two daughters, 9-year-old Mahour Gholami and 16-year-old Zeynab Gholami, were shot dead by their father, Mohammad Gholami, in their home. The motive for the murders remains unclear.
Piranshahr (January 25, 2025): 17-year-old Kani Abdollahi from the village of Mashkan was fatally stabbed by her father. Sources say the father attacked her after discovering her emotional relationship with a boy. The girl succumbed to her injuries in the hospital. The father is now in custody.
Nikshahr (January 21, 2025): A woman in Nikshahr, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, died after her husband deliberately set their house on fire. The man has been arrested, according to the state-controlled Rokna news site.
Maku (January 18, 2025): Yaser Alizadeh murdered his 31-year-old wife, Safa Mostafazadeh, and their 11-year-old son, Danial Alizadeh, after Safa filed for divorce.
Borujerd (January 17, 2025): In another horrifying incident, a man shot and killed his three sisters in the Ibrahimabad neighborhood of Borujerd. Authorities report that the man fled but was arrested shortly after. His motive was reportedly “family disputes.”
Many of these femicides reflect systemic issues within Iranian society and its legal framework. Under Article 612 of the Penal Code of the Iranian regime, perpetrators of murder are often spared severe punishment if the crime is deemed to disrupt “public order” or if the victim’s family waives their right to retribution. This loophole has allowed many fathers, brothers, and husbands to escape justice in so-called “honor killings.”
