Morality police force woman in Amol to cover shorts amid hijab crackdown
In Amol, a woman wearing shorts was confronted by a passerby and then compelled by morality police to put on pants and a headscarf as Iran intensifies enforcement of its hijab law.
A viral clip from the northern city of Amol captures a confrontation in which a woman waiting for a bus is berated for wearing shorts that reveal her legs. A bystander repeatedly tells her she has no right to appear that way, prompting the morality police to step in. Officers provide the woman with a pair of pants and instruct her to put on a headscarf, enforcing Iran's mandatory hijab regulations.
The episode coincides with a recent surge in enforcement actions that have led to the shutdown of at least 42 cafés, gyms, restaurants and stores in 17 cities, including Tehran. Deputy prosecutor Hossein Salari of Ardabil warned that inspections of retailers selling clothing deemed harmful to public chastity will intensify. Iran's law requires all females over the age of 12 to cover their hair and dress traditionally, a rule that drew worldwide scrutiny after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
Why it matters
The incident illustrates Iran's tightening control over women's dress, reflecting broader social repression and potential unrest.
In this story
