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An Iranian woman takes off her clothes in protest against hijab laws in Tehran

An Iranian woman takes off her clothes in protest against hijab laws in Tehran
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Tehran's security forces arrested an Iranian woman for removing her clothes in protest after she was allegedly attacked for wearing her hijab improperly, in violation of Tehran's strict morality laws, according to international media reports and footage on Saturday.

According to Iran International, the young woman was attacked by security forces at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran.

A university official later confirmed her arrest.

“Following an indecent act by a student of the university’s science and research department, campus security intervened and handed the person over to law enforcement,” Amir Mahjoub, general director of public relations at Islamic Azad University, wrote on X/Twitter. “The motives and background for the student’s behavior are currently being investigated.”

Iranian women watch the training of the Iranian national soccer team behind the railing while they were banned from entering the stadium at the Azadi (Freedom) sports complex in Tehran, Iran May 21, 2006 (Credit: MORTEZA NIKOUBAZI/ REUTERS)

Mahjob later explained on

Iran International, citing an Iranian student group, reported that the student was harassed by security forces for not wearing her hijab.

Security forces reportedly tore her clothing and the interaction resulted in the student becoming bloodied. Student groups shared mixed reports about how she was wounded. Some claimed the forces smashed her head into a nearby car or pillar.

Messages of support

Masih Alinejad, an Iranian-American journalist, author and women's rights activist who the IRGC tried to assassinate, commented on She turned her body into a protest, stripping down to her underwear and marching through campus – defying a regime, that constantly controls women's bodies. Her act is a strong reminder of Iranian women's struggle for freedom. Yes, we use our bodies like weapons to fight a regime that kills women for showing their hair.

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“This happened at Tehran Science and Research University. She has since been arrested by authorities.

“Be their voice.”

Amnesty International's Iran department wrote: “Iranian authorities must arrest the university student who was violently arrested on November 2 after she removed her clothing in protest at security officials' abusive enforcement of the veil requirement at Tehran's Islamic Azad University , release immediately and unconditionally.”

“Pending their release, authorities must protect them from torture and other ill-treatment and ensure access to family and legal representation. Allegations of beatings and sexual violence against them during arrest require independent and impartial investigations. Those responsible must be held accountable.”

The IDF Farsi report published: “We are witnessing one of the most powerful revolutions in history.”

A revolution in which women are no longer willing to remain silent in the face of the violation of their dignity and fundamental rights by a handful of brainwashers and libertines of the system.”

Iran's violence against women

Tehran's strict clothing laws have drawn widespread condemnation, particularly because some of those accused of violating them die in police custody – as in the case of Mahsa Amini.

Amini, a young Iranian Kurdish woman whose death in police custody in 2022 sparked global protests, was a small town resident who never questioned the country's spiritual rulers or Islamic dress codes, sources close to the family said.

Amini, from the northwestern Kurdish city of Saqez, died in hospital after falling into a coma three days after her arrest. It sparked the first major resistance on Iran's streets since authorities crushed protests over fuel prices in 2019 that killed 1,500 people.

Authorities denied hitting Amini and insisted in a statement that the cause of death was sudden heart failure, possibly due to pre-existing conditions. However, the family denied that the 22-year-old had any previous health problems.

In August, 31-year-old Arezou Badri was shot and paralyzed after she tried to run at high speed from police as they tried to impound her car for driving with her hair exposed.

REUTERS contributed to this report.



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