At the height of the war, women without headscarves were seen even at pro-government gatherings and on state media.
At least seven cafes and restaurants in Tehran were closed on July 19 for failing to enforce mandatory hijab rules, according to human rights group HRANA.
Ten cafes were also reportedly closed in South Khorasan province over alleged violations of “social norms and mandatory hijab rules”.
“I don’t think they can make these girls wear headscarves again.
For now, Tehran appears to be testing how far it can tighten the screws without once again sending Iran’s women into the streets.
Dubai: Iran is confronting a familiar battle at home even as it remains locked in a bruising conflict with the US: What to do about the growing number of women openly refusing to wear the hijab.
At the height of the war, women without headscarves were seen even at pro-government gatherings and on state media. In one video, an unveiled woman carrying an Iranian flag said her husband was serving in the military and that she was proud of him.
A UN Human Rights Committee report cited credible reports that security forces’ use of disproportionate and lethal force resulted in more than 550 protesters being killed, including at least 68 children. Thousands were detained during the unrest.
She died after collapsing in custody. Iranian authorities said her death resulted from natural causes; a subsequent UN-mandated investigation concluded that her death was unlawful and caused by physical violence in state custody.
At least seven cafes and restaurants in Tehran were closed on July 19 for failing to enforce mandatory hijab rules, according to human rights group HRANA. Ten cafes were also reportedly closed in South Khorasan province over alleged violations of “social norms and mandatory hijab rules”.
“They still don’t dare say anything to people on the street. Girls in Tehran are out and about wearing crop tops, shorts, and all kinds of clothes, and headscarves are practically no longer a thing,” she said.
“I don’t think they can make these girls wear headscarves again. But then again, that’s also what we thought when the revolution happened. We never thought they would be able to force us to wear them, but in the end, they did.”
That argument carries greater weight during wartime. Iran is dealing with the economic consequences of its confrontation with the US while portraying the war as an existential struggle. Opening another front against women at home carries obvious risks.
MP Mohammad-Taqi Naqdali warned this week: “Israel and America cannot destroy us, but this decay that has plagued our religious culture and is spreading nudity in a disastrous and widespread manner in society will.”
But for a government already confronting war abroad, economic hardship and the risk of renewed unrest, enforcing it may come at a price it is not yet willing to pay.
For now, Tehran appears to be testing how far it can tighten the screws without once again sending Iran’s women into the streets.
A Senior Associate Editor with more than 30 years in the media, Stephen N.R. curates, edits and publishes impactful stories for Gulf News — both in print and online — focusing on Middle East politics, student issues and explainers on global topics. Stephen has spent most of his career in journalism, working behind the scenes — shaping headlines, editing copy and putting together newspaper pages with precision. For the past many years, he has brought that same dedication to the Gulf News digital team, where he curates stories, crafts explainers and helps keep both the web and print editions sharp and engaging.
