TEHRAN, Iran — The Iranian government has decided to suspend the enforcement of a controversial new law regarding women’s mandatory hijab, as revealed by an official statement. This legislation, which had the potential to spark renewed protests similar to those that occurred in the wake of Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022, had been approved by the parliament just last September.
According to Shahram Dabiri, one of the vice presidents of Iran, the decision was made to delay the referral of the law to the government that was initially expected this week. This move effectively halts the implementation of the proposed law that would impose stricter penalties on women who fail to comply with hijab regulations, as well as on businesses that serve such individuals. The previous reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian had rejected similar punishments, aiming to reinitiate discussions with Western nations regarding sanctions linked to Iran’s nuclear activities.
Dabiri explained in an interview with the pro-reform Ham Mihan daily that it was agreed upon by top authorities in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches that the law would not be passed onto the government for the time being. He stated that “it is not feasible to implement this bill” but did not provide further details.
Should the law have been presented to the government, President Pezeshkian would have faced a tight deadline; he is required to approve such a bill within five days, which would then become effective 15 days later without the option of a veto. Pezeshkian may still attempt to persuade the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who holds ultimate authority over state matters, to abandon the legislation.
Had the law been implemented, Pezeshkian might have had the option to either ignore it or request police to refrain from its enforcement, which could have led to a constitutional crisis that hard-liners could exploit to undermine his position. He had previously voiced concerns about the law’s numerous ambiguities.
Mahsa Amini tragically passed away on September 16, 2022, after her apprehension by morality police due to alleged violations of hijab regulations. Iran has denied any wrongdoing in her death but U.N. investigators assert that she was subjected to physical violence at the hands of morality officers, directly linking her death to their actions. The ensuing crackdown, triggered by widespread outrage over her death, resulted in the deaths of over 500 individuals and the detention of more than 22,000 during months of unrest.
Since then, many Iranian women have increasingly defied the existing hijab law, publicly walking with their hair uncovered despite the threats of arrest and other repercussions.
The newly proposed law consists of 74 sections, introducing fines of $800 for first violations, escalating to $1,500 for second offenses, and potential prison sentences of up to 15 years for repeat offenders. Additionally, public figures and celebrities could lose 8% of their net worth, while businesses serving women without hijabs might face closure and fines. The law contemplated imposing travel bans on offenders as well.
Moreover, the legislation would enable foreign nationals, including many Afghans residing in Iran, to act as informants against women not adhering to hijab rules, incentivizing business owners and taxi drivers to report on uncovered women under the threat of fines.
Even by the standards of the Islamic Republic, the breadth of this law is striking. It would grant law enforcement access to private surveillance footage, as well as materials recorded by the military, the Defense Ministry, and Iran’s civilian nuclear agency, thereby extending the reach of regulatory oversight significantly over private and public life.