Government Regulations
The Iranian government enacted laws to regulate Shahr-e-No. According to data from the National Civil Registration Organization in 1967–1968, approximately 1,500 women lived in the neighborhood. By law, these women were required to obtain health cards, which were maintained through regular medical check-ups. They had to visit a clinic weekly and undergo blood tests every six months to monitor their health.
Decline and Demolition
By the late 1970s, Shahr-e-No had become a target for social reformers and religious groups who viewed it as a center of moral corruption. After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the neighborhood was shut down, and its buildings were demolished. Today, the site where Shahr-e-No once stood has been transformed into parks and public spaces, erasing most physical traces of its controversial past.
Conclusion
Shahr-e-No was a significant, albeit controversial, part of Tehran’s history. It reflected the socio-political dynamics of Iran, from the Qajar era through the Pahlavi dynasty. While it was a hub of prostitution, it also played a role in the political upheavals of the time. Its eventual demolition symbolized the shift in Iran’s political and moral landscape following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The legacy of Shahr-e-No, however, continues to be a subject of study in discussions of Iran’s social history.