Blocking of 21 Popular Instagram Pages; Restrictions on Individual Freedoms in Iran Intensify

As restrictions on individual and social freedoms in Iran intensify, a police official announced the entry of the 'Public Security Police' into cyberspace 'in line with the implementation of the Noor plan' and reported the 'cleansing and blocking' of 21 popular Instagram pages in the west of Tehran province. Kiomars Azizi, the police chief of western Tehran province, on Monday, April 3, cited 'the publication of inappropriate and norm-breaking images' as the reason for blocking these 21 popular pages in cyberspace and threatened users with legal action, claiming to monitor various social media pages 'continuously.' According to users, these Instagram pages have been updated with similar statements of commitment, stating: 'I hereby express my apologies for publishing inappropriate content on my Instagram page and will henceforth commit to preserving and adhering to Islamic laws and norms. I also express my utmost gratitude to those who assist us in this matter.' In another instance, a student who had previously written about the university security's behavior towards him, citing a violation of mandatory hijab laws, later wrote another post claiming his previous statement was a 'mistake' and that such an incident did not occur. The implementation of this plan has been accompanied by threats from police officials. Reports indicate that the police have told virtual activists: 'Not only will there be legal action against their pages, but also against their operators.' Previously, Mohammad Hossein Taheri Akhardi, the secretary of the 'Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Headquarters' of the Islamic Republic, had also stated that the 'Noor plan is a security operation' and that the FARAJA directly deals with this plan. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, in his Eid al-Fitr prayer speech on Wednesday, April 22, issued a new command to the 'promoters of virtue,' whom he had previously described as 'fire at will,' asking them to 'address religious norm-breaking.' Hours after Khamenei's directive, the police announced that they would implement a plan against women's optional clothing starting Saturday, April 25. Amnesty International reported in a report published in Esfand 1402 that 'Iranian officials are trying to eliminate resistance against mandatory hijab following nationwide protests for women, life, freedom, seeking to instill fear in women and girls and disrupting their daily lives, causing severe psychological distress.' The deployment of patrol forces in front of a shopping center in Azimieh Karaj has been reported. A recent report from Human Rights Watch indicates that the suppression of protests has been accompanied by 'sexual assault.' The secretary of the 'Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Headquarters' confirmed the establishment of a 'Hijab Headquarters' by Raisi under the supervision of the Minister of Interior. Students recount their experiences with security forces; entering the university with fear and anxiety.