Iran women married to foreigners can pass citizenship to children

Iran's legislative vetting body has ratified a bill that allows children born to Iranian women and foreign men to obtain Iranian nationality, according to state media, Al Jazeera reports.

The approval was announced by Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodai on Wednesday, more than four months after the proposal was passed by the Iranian parliament, according to the Republic News Agency (IRNA).

Made up of 12 members, half of whom are appointed by the supreme leader, the Guardian Council has the mandate of approving draft laws that are compatible with religious legislation and the constitution. 

The Guardian Council in June had rejected the proposed legislation on security grounds, according to Iranian media, requiring changes that would allow background checks on foreign fathers.

On July 15, the parliament amended the bill to condition granting citizenship to children who have been found to not "possess a security problem", Human Rights Watch said in August.