Iran abolishes mandatory hijab requirement for women

Iran abolishes mandatory hijab requirement for women

Iran has officially removed the mandatory hijab requirement for women, according to Mohammadreza Bahonar, a member of the Expediency Council. He stated that the law concerning the hijab is no longer being enforced — meaning that women who do not wear the hijab will no longer face fines or other legal sanctions.

Bahonar noted that every country has its own dress regulations but emphasized that “people cannot be forced to wear the hijab.”

Earlier, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also voiced opposition to compulsory hijab, saying that “forcing women to wear it yields no results.”

The shift comes after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly, sparking nationwide protests. Following that event, Iran’s government began gradually relaxing its strict hijab policies.