The latest viral reports claiming Iran had abolished mandatory hijab laws have proven misleading, highlighting instead the complex and contradictory reality of enforcement in the Islamic Republic three years after the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement shook the nation.
The confusion began when Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a member of Iran's Expediency Discernment Council, declared "there is no longer a legal obligation to wear the hijab in Iran." International media seized upon the statement as a historic policy shift. However, experts clarify this represents "not an abolishment of the compulsory hijab, but rather a suspension, a pause until further notice."
The truth lies in Iran's legislative limbo. In September 2023, parliament passed the draconian "Law on Protecting the Family through the Promotion of the Culture of Chastity and Hijab," which would have imposed fines up to $2,350, prison sentences reaching 15 years, and even the death penalty for violations deemed "corruption on earth." The law also mandated systematic surveillance using CCTV footage and citizen reporting applications.
Following intense public backlash and concerns about potential unrest after Syria's Assad regime fell, Iran's Supreme National Security Council formally requested the law's suspension in December 2024. President Masoud Pezeshkian's government opposed the legislation, citing "ambiguities" and concerns it would "undermine national solidarity."
Yet the original Article 638 of Iran's Penal Code mandating hijab technically remains in effect, though enforcement has dramatically decreased. Observers report remarkable changes in Tehran and other major cities: headscarves have markedly decreased, many women wear loose scarves on their shoulders, crop tops and open shirts have become increasingly visible, and the once-ubiquitous manteau coat has nearly vanished.
Critical restrictions persist, however. Women must still wear hijab in schools, universities, and offices. ID cards and passport photos must show fully covered hair, and television, films, and advertisements still require hijab compliance. Meanwhile, authorities continue developing sophisticated surveillance methods including facial recognition software, drones, and mobile applications for reporting violations.
This uncertain landscape traces directly to September 2022, when 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in morality police custody, triggering unprecedented protests. At least 500 protesters were killed and over 20,000 arrested during the brutal crackdown, yet widespread resistance continues. The movement "has left an indelible mark on society, inspiring a rising level of defiance."
Bahonar's October statements triggered fierce backlash from ultra-hardliners, revealing deep divisions within Iran's conservative establishment. Ultra-hardline MP Ahmad Rastineh demanded: "Which system's interests are you defending the Islamic Republic's or that of the savage, naked Western system?" Meanwhile, President Pezeshkian maintains he "does not believe in forcing women to wear the hijab," though hardliners invoke Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's April 2023 statement that disregarding hijab is "religiously and politically forbidden."
The controversy continues attracting international condemnation. UN experts have called for the suspended law's repeal, describing it as "gender apartheid," while the U.S. Treasury sanctioned Iran's Morality Police in 2022.
As of late 2025, Iran finds itself balancing between an increasingly defiant population and hardline elements demanding adherence to Islamic principles. The government appears unwilling to risk the massive unrest that full enforcement might trigger, yet the absence of Supreme Leader approval for formal change means mandatory hijab laws remain legally intact a precarious equilibrium that could shift rapidly depending on political developments.
Photo: Gemini AI