Women in Tehran Seen Without Headscarves as Iran Uses Traffic Cameras for Enforcement

Photographs taken in Tehran last week show women of all ages walking city streets without headscarves and wearing jeans or T-shirts instead of traditional dress. One woman wore an “I Love NY” shirt and another wore a red shirt bearing an American flag. The images come after Iranian security forces killed at least 7,000 protesters in January, according to human rights groups.

Eleven thousand cases from that crackdown remain under investigation. ” Iranian law requires all women and girls over age 12 to cover their hair with hijabs and wear traditional clothes. The requirement has drawn renewed attention since the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died in police custody after arrest for improper hijab wearing.

Women have also been seen riding scooters and vespas without head coverings in Tehran and other large cities. ” The regime has shifted from street arrests to traffic-camera enforcement, mailing fines to women identified without hijabs. Several women told CBC News they believe authorities are allowing the current display of defiance to prevent new street protests while Iran is engaged in conflict with the United States and Israel.

One older woman said she keeps a scarf around her neck “to stay on the safe side if anything happens,” citing concern that enforcement could resume once the conflict ends.