In Tehran's busy cafés, women now sit with uncovered hair and short sleeves, something rarely seen just a few years ago. Many openly ignore the mandatory veil, even in cities like Isfahan that were once more conservative. But while the streets look different, the laws and state pressure have not changed. Reports from independent Iranian and international media describe ongoing crackdowns: businesses are temporarily closed, and women who break dress codes risk having their bank accounts or SIM cards blocked.
This shift began after Mahsa Amini's death in September 2022. She was detained by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating dress codes and died in custody at 22. A 2024 United Nations investigation found signs of physical trauma and linked her death to violence while detained. Iranian officials rejected the findings and denied responsibility. UN Special Rapporteur Mai Sato called Amini's death unlawful and part of a wider pattern of state violence, with some elements meeting the definition of crimes against humanity.
Despite the formal suspension of the strict hijab law in December 2024, enforcement continues in practice through arrests and warnings, with digital sanctions also used.
After Amini's death, protests broke out across Iran. Women and men marched, risking arrest and violence. Amnesty International counted 377 deaths during the demonstrations; Iranian officials admitted to 202, blaming 'vandals' and 'armed terrorists.' Eyewitnesses and social media videos pointed to security forces as the basic source of violence. United Nations and human rights groups reported mass detentions and torture, as well as sexual violence, though government censorship likely conceals the full extent.
The 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement grew. Young women like Maryam, a 23-year-old photography student, describe both fear and pride in going out without a veil for the first time. Many paid a heavy price: some died or were jailed, while others were expelled from universities; reports of torture also emerged. Yet refusing the dress code has become a daily act of resistance. Independent observers say unveiled women are now a common sight in public spaces. They are seen at universities and cafés, as well as shopping centers and on public transport, making this one of the most visible forms of civil disobedience in recent years.
Older women tend to be more cautious, often covering up when entering official buildings. But change has accelerated, especially after the US and Israel attacked Iran in February. Even state media, during wartime coverage, showed women with uncovered hair at anti-Western protests, a sharp contrast to official policy.
Reports indicate that morality patrols and street checks have returned in several cities, alongside new waves of arrests and increased involvement of Basij and security forces. Reports name Isfahan and Rasht in particular. They also cite Fuman, with Mashhad and Nishapur among the other cities.
Officials have sent mixed messages. Some parliamentarians call for harsher penalties for women who refuse the veil, warning of a slide toward 'nudity.' Meanwhile, leaders like Hussein Taeeb of the Basij militia and the new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Jameneí have called for unity and warned against actions that could split society. Stricter dress code laws have been suspended as officials worry about further unrest during economic hardship. International news agencies report that some Iranian officials now admit the government cannot enforce hijab rules as strictly as before because of "wartime conditions," even as conservative factions push for tighter control.
Legal experts warn that the new freedoms are fragile. The laws have not changed, and most women's rights groups remain silenced. Women's participation in public and political life has stalled or even declined. Problems like gender-based violence and divorce remain unresolved, and activists say the fight for rights is far from over. Recent United Nations reports say the gap between the law and events on the ground reflects the complexity of the situation.
Cafés that break the dress code may be closed for a time, but usually reopen after paying fines. Women continue to defy threats, showing that the state is losing its grip on daily life. Still, as one human rights lawyer points out, the authorities have changed tactics: they are easing enforcement to head off new protests while holding on to control.
Defiance is widespread in Iran, while the laws and repression remain in place. The government's retreat on the veil is tactical, not a change in belief. Without legal reforms and a return of activists' voices, the fight for women's rights in Iran is not over. This moment is a fragile pause in a much longer struggle, rather than a victory.
For Spain and other countries watching, Iran's experience shows that social change can move faster than the law, but without deeper reforms, progress remains at risk. Iranian women have shown impressive ability to recover, while the system continues to resist change.
