Table 1.
Comparative timeline of abortion law developments in the USA and Iran
| Year | USA | Iran |
|---|---|---|
| 1800–1960 s | ⨉ Abortion largely criminalized. Exceptions only when mother’s life at risk [19].. | |
| 1926 | ⨉ Abortion criminalized, only permitted to save mother’s life [12].. | |
| 1969–1976 |
 Liberalized laws: abortions allowed up to 12 weeks; therapeutic abortion permitted [12].. |
|
| 1973 |
 Roe v. Wade– Constitutional right to abortion established [21].. |
|
| 1979–1982 | ⨉ Post-revolution, abortion criminalized again; only allowed to save mother’s life [12].. | |
| 1992 |
 Planned Parenthood v. Casey– Introduced “undue burden” standard [23]. |
|
| 2005 |
 Therapeutic Abortion Act– Allows abortion for fetal anomalies or maternal risk [12].. |
|
| 2021 | ⨉ RPPF Law– Major restrictions; only allows abortion in limited cases under judiciary oversight [14]. | |
| 2022 | ⨉ Dobbs v. Jackson– Roe overturned; abortion rights returned to states [24]. | |
| 2025 | ⨉  Patchwork laws: bans in 14 states, protections in others [26]. |