Iran's Supreme Leader Defends Hijab Amid Growing Resistance to Mandatory Dress Codes

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivered a firm defense of the hijab on Wednesday as an increasing number of women challenge the Islamic republic's mandatory dress code, triggering criticism from ultraconservative factions.

His statements followed a significant development where over half of Iran's conservative-dominated parliament accused the judiciary of inadequately enforcing the mandatory headscarf law for women.

Khamenei's office recently faced criticism from ultraconservative groups after publishing a photograph in its newspaper featuring an unveiled Iranian woman who was killed during the June conflict with Israel. The image clearly showed the woman wearing only a baseball cap with her hair visible.

"The Islamic republic has demonstrated that a Muslim woman, adhering to hijab and Islamic dress standards, can achieve greater progress than others across all domains while maintaining an active role both in society and at home," Khamenei stated during a meeting with a group of women.

"With this foundational vision established in the Islamic Republic following the Islamic Revolution's victory, our women and girls have advanced significantly in numerous areas."

The requirement for women to cover their neck and head while dressing modestly became mandatory in Iran after the 1979 Islamic revolution that overthrew the US-backed shah.

In recent years, growing numbers of Iranian women have increasingly disregarded the strict dress code, particularly following the nationwide protests triggered by the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini while in custody.

Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd, had been detained for allegedly violating the country's strict female dress regulations.

Her death sparked months of unrest, resulting in hundreds of fatalities, including dozens of security personnel, and thousands of arrests in what authorities described as foreign-instigated "riots."

The Iranian government has declined to ratify legislation passed by parliament in 2023 that would have strengthened penalties for women not wearing the hijab or dressing inappropriately.

President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office in July 2024, has maintained the position that women cannot be compelled to wear the hijab.

In January, Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani explained that the bill was shelved because it "could have had serious social consequences."