There is a wave of protests in Tehran and other cities across western Iran following the police killing of 22-year-old Mahsa Amiri last week. The protests center on the moral patrol, a police unit that enforces public conduct and dress codes, and its officers arrested the young woman for reportedly wearing a veil that did not meet their standards.
Why did the protests begin?
In the heart of Tehran, a store manager and her brother were halted by a morale patrol while walking through the city center last Tuesday. They were pushed aside as officers intervened, and the encounter escalated quickly. Family members say that after they were separated, Amiri was brought to the back of a vehicle, subjected to violence, and then beaten at the police station. Later that same afternoon, Amiri fell unconscious and slipped into a cerebral coma, a condition officials described as a result of fainting in custody and not related to any external harm. She died three days later. The charge againstAmiri stemmed from the claim that her veil revealed too much hair and did not comply with the required dress code.
Is it compulsory to wear a veil in Iran?
The 1979 Islamic Revolution reshaped Iran’s governance, replacing the crown with a system influenced by clerical leadership. The new state, the Islamic Republic of Iran, is guided by Sharia law, and the clergy hold a central role over both religious and political authority. In practice, many women wear veils with varying levels of coverage, but violations of the dress code are treated as illegal acts under the law, and penalties can follow. The choices around veiling reflect a broad spectrum of styles, from more conservative coverings to more relaxed looks, yet the state asserts that veiling remains a legal obligation for women in public spaces.
Official version
Public demonstrations began the following Saturday, marked by mournful processions and acts of defiance. In Mahsa Amiri’s home region, women participating in protests removed their veils and cast them to the ground or set them on fire as a symbol of resistance. The authorities quickly moved to quell the demonstrations, sparking further tension. Officials labeled the events as unfortunate and denied responsibility for Amiri’s death, while relatives dispute the official narrative. The government released video material that supporters say has been altered or selectively edited to shape perception of what happened inside the police facilities.
Police repression
Since the first protests, demonstrations across Tehran and Kurdish regions have largely remained peaceful in tone, featuring chants against the government and, in many cases, women choosing to remove their veils in solidarity. Still, security forces have responded with a heavy hand, and human rights groups report several fatalities, dozens of injuries, and numerous detentions. Opposition sources claim that authorities pressured Amiri’s family to refrain from public statements and to avoid escalating the dispute. In a rare public gesture, the president reached out to Amiri’s family to offer condolences, while urging transparency and the rapid release of security footage to verify the sequence of events.
Precedents of mass protests
Iran has a history of strong police pressure when large-scale protests erupt, with notable episodes in previous years. The most recent major wave occurred in January 2018, when thousands took to the streets amid economic distress. Reports from that period indicate significant casualties and pervasive censorship surrounding the official tallies. The ongoing demonstrations following Mahsa Amiri’s death appear to be expanding beyond local grievances, capturing broader demands for accountability and civil liberties. Observers note the continuity of public discontent and the persistence of calls for reform.
Across these events, many citizens express a resolve to honor Mahsa by speaking out. A young Iranian woman shared on social media her conviction that wearing a veil should not silence individual expression and that remembrance of Mahsa obligates people to protest injustice rather than remain silent. The message reflects a broader yearning for dignity, safety, and basic rights within the country.