Iran’s president revealed that he refused to enforce a disputed dress code law, warning it could have sparked a “war” within Iranian society.
The rollout of the new, tougher hijab law — mandating women to wear the headscarf, was put on hold last year. Many believe the bill risked reigniting the nationwide protests that shook the Islamic Republic after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini.
Although parliament approved the legislation in September 2023, it has yet to be enforced.
The law calls for harsher and strong penalties against women who defy the hijab rule, as well as against businesses that serve them.
