Tehran authorities have intensified hijab enforcement, expanding oversight of public dress and personal behavior. The city’s prosecutor, Ali Salehi, highlighted that 28 government bodies hold specific responsibilities in the area of hijab and modesty.
Speaking at a meeting on the state of hijab and morality on Wednesday, November 18, Salehi emphasized coordination between cultural, law enforcement, and administrative agencies. He stressed the need for swift and decisive action to identify and confront networks he described as spreading corruption and immorality with foreign support.
Salehi’s statements reflect ongoing government efforts to impose stricter hijab rules. Recent months have seen heightened enforcement with backing from the judiciary and security agencies. On November 14, the head of Iran’s judiciary instructed prosecutors to identify organized social groups linked to foreign entities and report them.
Earlier, the country’s attorney general directed courts to act firmly against women failing to comply with mandatory hijab regulations. Additionally, Tehran’s morality office announced organizing over 80,000 volunteers to monitor women’s attire across the city.
Authorities have also shifted attention to online spaces. Salehi criticized social media platforms for promoting anti-value content, insisting cultural and supervisory bodies must monitor digital activity closely.
He highlighted public venues such as restaurants and cafes as focal points for intervention. Police units tasked with public order and ethical conduct should monitor these places carefully. The main objectives include preventing public alcohol sales and discouraging events that contravene social norms.
Moreover, Salehi expressed concern over domestic fashion trends inspired by Western styles. He called for trade authorities and legal officers to prevent the distribution of such clothing, framing it as part of wider social damage.
Experts argue that these measures could increase state control over personal choices and daily life. Critics note that the government prioritizes social monitoring over economic and livelihood issues, allocating significant resources to enforce conformity.
Despite this pressure, many women continue civil resistance. They openly defy restrictions, choosing their attire and lifestyle even under threat of fines, prosecution, or harassment. This ongoing movement represents a persistent challenge to the government’s strict hijab enforcement policies.
The intensifying campaign demonstrates that Tehran authorities plan to expand their reach over citizens’ personal choices. Nevertheless, public resilience indicates that societal pushback remains strong, signaling a continuing tension between state mandates and individual freedoms.