What the Islamic Republic does to its women footballers
Hardline Iranian lawmakers and activists are pressuring the government to strictly enforce compulsory hijab laws, criticizing the current administration for perceived leniency. Despite new legislation, implementation remains suspended due to fears of triggering widespread civil unrest.
Why it matters
The tension reflects the ongoing internal struggle in Iran between conservative religious factions and a government attempting to manage social stability.
Last week, hardline lawmaker Mohammad Naghd-Ali told parliament that another member had told him he cries after every parliamentary session because of the current state of women's dress.
Naghd-Ali fiercely criticized President Masoud Pezeshkian's administration for refusing to implement the controversial hijab law approved in 2024, saying the government was allowing what he described as "nudity” and “immorality" to spread.
Although the new legislation was finalized in 2024, its implementation has been suspended following a decision by the Supreme National Security Council, reportedly out of concern that enforcing it could trigger unrest similar to the nationwide protests that erupted after Mahsa Amini's death in 2022.
Existing compulsory-hijab rules, however, remain legally in force.
Hardline activists have likewise blamed Pezeshkian for what they portray as the country's cultural decline.
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