Iran, already facing setbacks in its foreign policy due to the weakening of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria, now confronts a significant test in its domestic politics. Protests over mandatory hijab requirements have erupted in the past, yet conservatives remain steadfast in pushing forward a contentious law imposing harsher penalties for violations of the national dress code. If enacted, the proposed legislation may intensify societal tensions and deepen chaos.
The Hijab and Chastity Law, passed by the conservative-led Majlis and ratified by the Constitutional Protection Council, is set to reach moderate President Masoud Pezeshkian on December 13. This law threatens to rekindle domestic unrest in a nation already strained by external conflicts.
Initially approved by the Iranian Parliament in September 2023 and subsequently endorsed by the Constitutional Protection Council in September 2024, the law now awaits Pezeshkian’s signature. According to Iranian law, Pezeshkian has five days to either approve or reject the legislation. If he declines to sign, the Speaker of Parliament is authorized to enact the law. However, Pezeshkian’s administration may choose not to implement it, potentially creating institutional discord and exacerbating legal uncertainty.
Currently, dress code violators face penalties ranging from 10 days to two months of imprisonment or fines up to $10. Under the proposed 70-article law, reported by The Financial Times, these penalties escalate significantly, with fines ranging from $200 to $2,000 for initial offenses and imprisonment for repeat violations.
The legislation introduces stringent enforcement mechanisms:
Persistent non-payment of fines may result in restrictions such as the suspension of passports or driving licenses and limitations on social media and banking access.
Celebrities promoting non-compliance could face fines starting at $13,000.
Surveillance technologies, including cameras managed by intelligence and defense ministries, would replace morality police in monitoring dress code adherence.
Businesses, residential complexes, and transport operators are obligated to share CCTV footage with law enforcement and report violations. Failure to comply could lead to punitive actions.
President Pezeshkian expressed reservations about the feasibility of the law, stating, “There are uncertainties about this law, which is not easy to implement. We must not act in a way that undermines national solidarity.”
Criticism has emerged from various quarters: Political analyst Saeed Laylaz described the law as “literally impossible to implement” and “irrational.” Conservative cleric Mohsen Gharavian emphasized the lack of public support for the legislation, arguing that unenforceable laws should be reviewed. Masoumeh Ebtekar, former vice president for women and family affairs, warned that implementing such a divisive policy could “deepen societal rifts and erode trust.”
