Iran hesitates to enforce headscarf rules amid war, economic pressures
Women sit at outdoor cafes without headscarves and wearing crop tops. Men in shorts and women in leggings exercise together in parks. At sidewalk concerts, women stop to dance and literally let their hair down. The scenes from the Iranian capital of Tehran, shared in social media videos, point to how dramatically enforcement of social restrictions has eased in the Islamic Republic in recent…
Tehran, Iran is witnessing a shift in how social restrictions are enforced, with women seen without headscarves and in more casual attire. This change is largely due to the mass protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for not wearing her headscarf properly. The protests, sparked on September 16, 2022, led to a crackdown that resulted in over 500 deaths and thousands of arrests.
In response, authorities have relaxed the rules on hijabs and modest dress for women to maintain stability. However, the question remains whether this leniency can be reversed. Hard-line elements within Iran’s ruling class are pushing for stricter enforcement of women's dress codes. Yet, top leaders are wary of a public backlash during a time of conflict.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
