Iran plans to dismantle morality police while expanding hijab restrictions

Iranian authorities plan to dismantle the country's morality police under a new law regulating the wearing of the hijab, according to Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. However, while the controversial enforcement unit may be disbanded, the law is set to introduce even stricter penalties for violations of the Islamic dress code.

Ghalibaf announced the decision in a post on social network X, confirming that the morality police would be removed, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, he stressed that Iran's legal framework already mandates hijab-wearing. “Now a law had to be passed that would address both positive and negative aspects. The new law completely eliminates the morality police, but the government has some problems in other areas that should be addressed,” he wrote.

While the timeline for adopting the law remains unclear, reports suggest that its enforcement mechanisms will be harsher than before. Iran’s penal code already punishes hijab violations, but the new legislation is expected to expand the scope of penalties, particularly targeting teenagers aged 12 and older. Regular violators could face up to 15 years in prison.

In December 2024, Iran’s Supreme National Security Council urged parliament to suspend discussions on the bill. This came after President Massoud Pezeshkian refused to approve the initiative in its current form, warning that it could deepen social divisions.

“We should not do anything that ruins the unity and solidarity of society,” Pezeshkian stated publicly. His aide, Ali Rabiee, echoed these concerns in a more detailed post on X, arguing that the bill could lead to serious “social consequences.” Rabiee noted that even among Iran’s ruling elite, there is consensus that further tightening hijab rules could provoke widespread civil disobedience.

Despite these warnings, the proposed law significantly increases fines and other punishments for those who fail to comply with strict hijab regulations. Key provisions include:

• Fines ranging from $200 to $2,000 for women with loose hair, exposed forearms, shins, or parts of the chest.
• Prison sentences of up to 15 years for repeat offenders.
• Teenagers aged 12 and older will be subject to the new restrictions.
• Punishments for online violations, including appearing without a hijab on video or engaging in what authorities define as "propaganda or advertising of nudity."

Tehran is bracing for potential backlash. Authorities fear not only renewed protests similar to the 2022-2023 uprisings following the death of Mahsa Amini but also external threats. Some Iranian officials believe Israel may take advantage of any internal instability to strike Iranian nuclear facilities.

Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, was detained by the morality police for “inappropriate” dress and allegedly died due to forceful detention — an event that sparked months of demonstrations. Many Iranians see the latest law as an attempt to reassert control over public behaviour, even without the morality police.

By Tamilla Hasanova