Tehran: Iran is set to begin issuing motorcycle licenses to women in the coming weeks, the vice president for women and family affairs announces, stressing that there are no religious or legal restrictions preventing women from obtaining such licenses.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Zahra Behrouz Azar, speaking to reporters on Tuesday, emphasized that women should have motorcycle licenses to avoid additional harm resulting from being unable to obtain insurance coverage due to not having a valid license. She highlighted that the government, with the support of Parliament, has taken action on this issue, and religious scholars and clerics have confirmed that issuing motorcycle licenses to women is not religiously prohibited.

Behrouz Azar further explained that the necessary steps had been taken, and after her latest discussions with traffic police officials, a prototype motorcycle license for women had already been printed. She noted that the issuance of the licenses had been delayed due to the outbreak of the recent US-Israeli war. A ceremony to unveil the first motorcycle license for women had initially been planned for July, but had to be postponed.