Iran’s women have long been at the forefront of defying the Islamic Republic’s coercive behijab, or compulsory hijab, a law that obliges women to wear a headscarf in public. The “morality police” closely monitor and enforce these rules. Their penal consequences include large fines for criminals, up to £12,500, and sentence repeat offenders to flogging and prison terms of five to 15 years. Despite these severe penalties, many young women in Tehran and other provinces are openly flouting the dress code, showcasing their defiance through social media.
In a speech in December 2025, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei reaffirmed the centrality of the policy to the regime. This announcement heralded a new era of enforcement for these laws. Despite this awareness campaign, young women are still not discouraged from breaking the rules. Instead, it has inspired a burgeoning international movement in which women film themselves strutting down the street unveiled and post the footage online. The protests go well beyond Tehran, signaling a change in mood from the capital to the deeply conservative provinces of Iran.
Golnar, a visual artist based in Tehran, shared her belief that the youth of Iran will not go back to the way things were. She offered her candid reflection on the dangers that come from dancing on the edge of what is possible.
“Do I have it in the back of my head that I will be at any time dragged into a van? Yes, I am not going to lie. But the plan is to push the boundaries collectively, so they can’t break a few of us,” – Golnar.
As a veteran journalist now based in Tehran, Hoda told us that women’s defiance reflects a universal loss of respect for Khamenei’s authority.
“We never needed Khamenei’s permission, nor do we need it now. The scenes you are witnessing are because we do not care what he has to say,” – Hoda.
It seems that the authorities’ ability to enforce hijab regulations is limited. One report claims that since the regime’s crackdown on women began to spread, the morality police have given up and stopped patrolling women for violations. Shaghayegh, a young woman who takes part in these protests, commented on these changes.
“They have become very lax and don’t stop us anymore,” – Shaghayegh.
In Shiraz, Leyla, a business owner, has witnessed a new spirit rise within local women. The protests against hijab laws are part of a broader wave of discontent fueled by labor protests and issues like water shortages.
In Kurdistan, women face enormous obstacles. Rights of religious and ethnic minorities They are very specifically oppressed due to their Kurdish ethnicity, and the more extreme enforcement of hijabs. Zerin, a Kurdish activist, highlighted that while the morality police’s presence is minimal in their region, broader oppressive measures continue.
“In Kurdistan we are targeted by the authorities for our Kurdish identity and hijab isn’t the only concern,” – Zerin.
Zerin spoke to the prospect of mass arrests under the guise of enforcing hijab laws. She drew this link to a new wave of state repression that has arisen following the killing of Mahsa Amini. She highlighted how directing attention to hijab policies shifts the focus from more relevant issues that the country is facing today.
“We are running out of water, there are growing labour protests and the war with Israel has left the administration weak. Hijab is an easy distraction while they deal with all these serious issues,” – Zerin.
Skylar Thompson, deputy director of Human Rights Activists in Iran, discussed this delicate political landscape.
“The political, security, and economic climate is fragile and even a small provocation could trigger new unrest,” – Skylar Thompson.
Together, the current protests and their aftermath have resulted in more than single acts of protest. In mid-September, the organizers of a marathon race in Kish Island were arrested. By permitting women to run without veils, they were charged with “violating public decency.”
Though the risks are great, countless women continue to go out and claim their freedom. Shaghayegh articulated her resolve.
“If I wear a hijab now, I feel I’m undoing all the sacrifices so many Iranians have made. There’s no going back,” – Shaghayegh.
The Iranian government is under real pressure, both to repress its citizens and deal with larger socio-economic concerns. Women are becoming more rebellious, and women’s rebellion is appearing much bolder. Now, Iranian authorities find themselves in a precarious predicament: enforcing the hijab laws could set off even greater civil turmoil.