Yesterday, the parliament increased the age of marriage to 15 years for girls and 18 for boys. Any marriage below this age requires the permission of the court.

The age of marriage previously approved by the legal commission of the parliament was 14 years for girls and 17 for boys.

Ms. Shahrbanoo Amani (MP from Urumieh) who proposal the above bill, said: "for social activities, such as driving license, employment and so on the required minimum age is higher than that for marriage, have you ever thought how then under these conditions a 17 years old boy can support his wife and his family? Do you really think that starting the married life and bringing up the next generation is less important than the above social activities?

Ms. Amani then added: "the fact that we have requested the permission of the court for marriages below this age, is to ensure that no body would venture to buy and sell under the cover of this holy act."

It should be reminded that according to the present civil law, the age of marriage is 9 years for girls and 15 for boys and in case of the approval of the above bill by Shorayeh Negahban (Guardian Council) this age would respectively be increased to 15 and 18.