Behind closed doors: The hidden world of sex and prostitution in Iran

Despite Iran’s strict Islamic laws regulating sexual behavior, an expanding underground industry of massage services appears to be developing into a front for prostitution, and a simple violation of the hijab requirement can result in violent arrest.

The operations thriving on social media reveal the Islamic Republic’s deep socioeconomic and moral contradictions. In a country where public morality is governed by Islamic principles, the apparent rise of massage services on social media platforms like Instagram already presents a remarkable paradox.

And while many of these sites appear to advertise therapeutic services, a closer investigation by Iran International reveals a different reality: a covert network of prostitution operating under the guise of massage therapy.

One such site is run by a woman who claims to have a degree in physiology from Tehran University and an international certificate from Malaysia in massage therapy. Her profile states: “I am a massage therapist and I provide massage services to men and women in Tehran.”

Iran International cannot independently verify the authenticity of the sites or their content. In addition, some videos appear to feature masseuses from other countries.

Services offered include home visits, foot massages, hot stone massages and Thai massages. The offers are accompanied by photos of a salon supposedly located in northern Tehran. Videos of young women massaging men are also posted so that customers can choose their preferred masseuse.

One of the page links to a Telegram channel shows another page of the services.

There, the services offered go far beyond traditional massage therapy and include threesomes, lesbian encounters, group sex and sex with “shemales.” Prices ranged from 21 million rials (about $36) for a 90-minute massage, 47 million rials ($81) for a massage plus sex, 62 million rials ($107) for an overnight session and 130 million rials ($224) for a 24-hour session.

Prostitution is illegal in Iran and there are harsh penalties for those caught participating in or facilitating it.

Adultery, sex between unmarried people and homosexuality can result in imprisonment, flogging and, in some cases, the death penalty.

Despite the penal laws of the Islamic Republic the illegal sex trade continues, According to observers and experts, factors such as poverty, unemployment, drug addiction and lack of education are the cause. The country’s economic hardship is also cited as a contributing factor that makes Iranian women vulnerable to exploitation and forced prostitution.

When Iran International asked the administrator of the above-mentioned Telegram page for more information, he promptly responded with a prepared list detailing the rules and payment methods.

This person stated that half of the fee is paid in advance and the other half after the service. The advance payment should be made to a bank account under a different name, which raises doubts about the legality of the operation.

Whether fake or real, the sites paint a disturbing picture of life in the Islamic Republic: either individuals are exploiting Iran’s illegal prostitution trade to defraud young people and extort money from them with impunity – or young women in their twenties and thirties are engaging in prostitution for less than $50.

Further investigations by Iran International revealed that numerous similar sites were operated by Iranian administrators.

Some sites only vaguely hint at sexual services through suggestive photos, while others openly promote prostitution. Prices on these sites range from $35 to $250, depending on the duration and details of the service.

Due to the sensitive nature of the content and for the safety of the individuals depicted, Iran International has refrained from using the names listed on the pages.

A 24-year-old woman appears in an ad offering sexual services, accompanied by a health certificate and proof of COVID vaccination, seemingly to reassure clients that there is no risk of sexually transmitted diseases. She charges about $225 per day and offers to accompany clients on trips. The photos range from casual clothing to partially nude poses.

Another woman, M, has posted blurry videos depicting oral sex. In her photos, she poses on beaches, in studios and gyms, showing off her body, apparently to attract potential customers.

R, 27 years old, is shown as available for international travel upon client request.

Another woman, E, 25, is seen in a promotional video blowing kisses and winking in a swimming pool setting.

When it comes to enforcing Iran’s prostitution laws, the Iranian government displays selective and inconsistent policies. Authorities often turn a blind eye or focus on high-profile crackdowns. Their actions are widely viewed as being driven by corruption and bribery.

While public perceptions of prostitution remain predominantly negative due to conservative religious values, the socioeconomic factors that contribute to its existence are recognized.

Efforts to combat prostitution in Iran are further hampered by legal and cultural restrictions. While there are some initiatives to support and rehabilitate sex workers, NGOs and activists face significant challenges, including government restrictions and societal stigma.

Experts often complain that effectively combating prostitution in Iran requires identifying and addressing its root causes, which include poverty and limited opportunities, as well as taking initiatives to raise awareness and provide education, vocational training and health care.

While the government rigorously enforces moral principles such as the hijab requirementProstitution continues, and defenseless women are exploited right under their noses.