As more Iranian women reject hijab rules, regime looks at new ways to force compliance

Women appearing in public without wearing a hijab has become an increasingly common sight across Iran, marking one of the most visible social changes since the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests , which were sparked after a woman died in police custody after she was arrested for allegedly wearing her headscarf improperly.

Authorities have been unable to restore the level of street enforcement that existed before the protests. But the relative retreat of so-called "morality police" patrols does not mean the compulsory hijab has disappeared.

Now, authorities and conservative groups are experimenting with different ways to resist that change without necessarily recreating the same street confrontations that helped fuel the 2022 protests .

Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei recently called for action against what he described as social "abnormalities," "indecency" and "nudity," urging prosecutors to coordinate with police, intelligence bodies and government institutions.

At the same time, supporters of hijab mandates have circulated online campaigns encouraging people to avoid businesses run by women who do not follow the state dress code and instead patronize women who do.

The result is a more fragmented form of enforcement, moving in some cases from police patrols toward workplaces, businesses and access to everyday services.

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The online campaigns call for what supporters describe as "conscious purchasing," encouraging consumers to support hijab-observing vendors.