Closure of 11 Businesses in Isfahan Due to Sale of Unconventional Foreign Clothing

The head of the Isfahan Police Command's Information Center announced the closure of 11 businesses for selling "unconventional" foreign clothing. On Thursday, January 21, Masoud Tarifi described the clothing offered in these businesses as "outside the norms and Iranian Islamic culture." He did not provide further details about these garments. According to this police official, "operators of 50 businesses received closure notices, and 100 others were warned." The Iranian government is using all punitive measures, including closing businesses, seizing vehicles, deploying hijab enforcers in public spaces, and arresting and flogging opponents of mandatory hijab to force those demanding the right to choose their attire to retreat. This comes as many women, following nationwide protests in 2022, have resisted complying with the mandatory hijab imposed by the Islamic Republic. The intensification of punishments against women demanding the right to choose their clothing, including flogging, has faced widespread criticism both within Iranian society and globally. In this context, the account of Roya Hashemi enduring 74 lashes for refusing to comply with the mandatory hijab has led many political figures, lawyers, and media activists to criticize the enforcement of this punishment, with some calling for its removal from Iran's penal system. Zeynab Khaniabpour, an opponent of mandatory hijab, was sentenced to over two years in prison. The police chief of Bushehr province reported action taken against a hairdresser's Instagram page with 27 posts. The government continues its efforts to enforce mandatory hijab, with the closure of 50 businesses and warnings issued to 65 others in Qom. Officials have contradicted themselves regarding the "spontaneous" nature of the hijab enforcers' actions, while the enforcement of mandatory hijab regulations persists.