IRAN PRESIDENT TO IRAN LEADER: IF THE NEW HIJAB LAW IS ENFORCED, THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC WILL BE HARMED. (PHOTO).

 Iran President To Iran Leader: If The New Hijab Law Is Enforced, The Islamic Republic Will Be Harmed

Iran has postponed the implementation of a controversial hijab law that imposes severe penalties on women and girls defying veiling requirements, following internal opposition at the highest levels of government.

Reformist politician Ali Shakouri-Rad revealed that President Pezeshkian raised concerns directly with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warning that enforcing the new law could harm the Islamic Republic.

According to Shakouri-Rad, Pezeshkian told Khamenei, “If the new hijab law is enforced, the Islamic Republic will be harmed, and for this reason, I cannot implement it.” This discussion reportedly influenced the decision to delay the law, which has sparked widespread debate and controversy both within Iran and internationally.

The proposed legislation includes severe punishments for women and girls who fail to comply with mandatory veiling, reflecting the government’s intensified efforts to enforce dress codes amid a growing movement of civil disobedience. The law had been criticized as a response to ongoing protests that began after the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, following her detention by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating hijab rules.

Critics argue that the law could exacerbate public anger and deepen the rift between the government and its citizens. Reformist politicians and activists have called for more progressive policies, warning that stricter enforcement would only escalate tensions in an already volatile climate.

The postponement marks a rare instance of public acknowledgment of internal dissent within the Islamic Republic’s leadership. However, it remains unclear whether the law will be permanently shelved or revisited in the future.