Iranian police increase enforcement of dress code for women without hijab | Global News

Iranian police in Tehran have announced a new crackdown on women who do not adhere to the country’s strict Islamic dress code, which requires them to wear headscarves in public. The capital’s police chief, AbbasAli Mohammadian, stated on live television that the police will be implementing measures to enforce the hijab dress code.

This crackdown comes shortly after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated that women in Iran must obey the dress code, regardless of their beliefs. The authorities have made it mandatory for women to cover their hair and bodies in public places since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The police in Tehran have launched a campaign codenamed “Noor” to crack down on those who violate the hijab dress code. Those who do not comply with previous warnings will face legal action, according to Mohammadian.

The crackdown follows the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurd who died in custody after being arrested for allegedly violating the dress code in Tehran. Amini’s death sparked protests and demonstrations across the country, which the authorities labeled as “riots” incited by foreign governments.

In an effort to enforce the hijab laws, the authorities have also closed down cafes and restaurants where the dress code was not respected. Despite the crackdown, more and more women have been seen in public without adhering to the dress code in recent months.

The presence of patrol vans from the morality police in central Tehran’s Valiasr Square has been reported by Iranian media, indicating an increased effort to enforce the hijab dress code. The crackdown on women who do not wear headscarves in public continues to be a contentious issue in Iran.