Iran’s hijab crackdown returns as women defy mandatory veiling rules
Iranian authorities have intensified the enforcement of mandatory hijab rules, leading to the closure of various cafes and businesses accused of failing to comply. This crackdown follows a period of relative leniency and continues the long-standing tension between the state and citizens regarding dress codes.
Why it matters
The renewed enforcement highlights the ongoing struggle over civil liberties and cultural identity in Iran, nearly four years after the Mahsa Amini protests.
Iran's long-running debate over mandatory hijab has resurfaced as hardliners push for stricter enforcement, even as the country grapples with the fallout of its conflict with the US.During the height of the conflict, women without headscarves were seen at pro-government gatherings and in state media, suggesting that authorities were reluctant to enforce the rules amid more pressing concerns.In recent weeks, however, conservative clerics and politicians have intensified calls for a crackdown on “public nudity”. State media have reported the closure of cafes, restaurants and shops accused of failing to enforce mandatory dress rules.Businesses face action over hijab rulesOn July 19, at least seven cafes and restaurants in Tehran were shut down for allegedly failing to enforce the mandatory hijab, according to human rights group HRANA.
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