Over the past several days, several Telegram channels and independent outlets have circulated a claim that could have shaken Iran’s domestic agenda — and drawn attention far beyond its borders: reports that the law mandating the wearing of the hijab had been annulled.
According to posts attributed to Azad Iran and Asr Iran, senior Iranian politician Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a member of the Expediency Council, allegedly declared that “from a legal standpoint, the hijab bill no longer has force and cannot be implemented. There is no longer any legal obligation to wear the hijab in Iran. It will not result in fines, punishment, or any legal consequence. Inform the police of this.”
At first glance, the statement sounded historic – even revolutionary. Yet, none of Iran’s official media confirmed the report, raising immediate doubts: is the Islamic Republic truly on the verge of dropping one of its core ideological symbols, or is this simply a political probe aimed at the domestic audience?
A Law Rooted in a Century of Contradictions
To understand the sensitivity, it helps to recall that Iran’s history with the hijab has swung between bans and mandates. In 1936, as part of Reza Shah Pahlavi’s modernization drive, wearing the hijab was restricted – women were effectively forbidden from appearing in public with their heads covered, provoking fierce resistance from the clergy and conservative society. After the Shah’s fall in 1941, the ban was lifted.
Everything changed after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Since 1983, wearing the hijab has been compulsory for all women in public. But in recent years, that requirement has become a central fault line in Iran’s political and social debate.
Political Context and Expert View
In an interview with Minval Politika, former Azerbaijani ambassador to Iran Javanšir Akhundov noted that Bahonar – though part of the conservative camp – is known for his pragmatic tone.
“The statement, as striking as it sounds, does not mean the law is repealed,” Akhundov explained.
“For such a change to take effect, it would need approval by the Supreme Leader, then passage through parliament, and final confirmation by the Expediency Council. Only then could the law’s repeal become official.”
For now, he said, existing statutes remain in force, prescribing penalties from fines to detention for violations. “In fact, conservatives in parliament recently tried to push through an even stricter hijab bill – which the government of Masoud Pezeshkian blocked, signaling an attempt to ease social tensions,” Akhundov added.
A Political Probe, Not Legal Reform
Akhundov believes Bahonar’s remarks should be seen as a political gesture, not a legislative action.
“This is a test balloon. Iran is under immense pressure – economically, socially, internationally. Sanctions, oil export issues, nuclear tensions – all create internal strain. The leadership may be trying to release some steam, especially given that women make up over half of voters, and nearly 60 percent of the population is under 30,” he said.
Since the death of Mahsa Amini, the women’s movement has gained strength, forcing the authorities to respond.
“Such statements are meant to show that the government ‘hears’ women, though it’s not prepared for real change,” he noted.
“Some informal leniency exists – for example, in northern Tehran, more women appear without headscarves – but they still cannot legally enter government offices without one.”
Reality on the Ground
Under current regulations, women must cover their hair, shoulders, and arms up to the wrists. Only the face and hands may be visible. Many female state employees wear two layers of hijab.
In short, despite the uproar surrounding Bahonar’s alleged remarks, Iran’s hijab law remains intact. True change would require coordinated approval from the highest echelons of power – and perhaps a redefinition of the Islamic Republic’s ideological foundations. For now, the episode serves as a barometer of public discontent and a cautious experiment by the regime to gauge just how far it can go.
