A member of Theology Faculty at Iran's University of Tabriz has raised concerns about sperm collection practices at some Iranian infertility clinics, citing religious objections to masturbation.

Ahmad Mortazi said on Sunday that "illegitimate methods, including masturbation, are used for sperm collection in some infertility centers, and this method is contrary to Sharia principles."

He did not mention any Sharia-compliant alternatives.

Referring to the establishment of sperm banks, Mortazi added that some Islamic jurists consider semen impure, which makes its trade not permissible.

Last week, Iran’s Ministry of Science called for the removal of educational content deemed to discourage childbearing as the country is intensifying efforts to combat declining fertility rates.

Government efforts to encourage higher birth rates in Iran have failed to produce results, according to data from the National Organization for Civil Registration. Births declined by more than 17,000 in the Iranian year that began on March 21, 2023, compared to the previous year, with the average children per family down from six to three.