Reactions to Violent Encounter with Girls Over Optional Hijab; Police: 'Related to the Past'; Media Calls for Dismissal of Interior Minister

The Islamic Republic Police, following widespread reactions to a newly released video showing violent behavior by law enforcement officers towards women resisting mandatory hijab, stated that the footage is 'related to the past' and invited 'everyone to enforce the law and prevent the emergence and dissemination of social anomalies.' Meanwhile, a media outlet has called on Massoud Pezeshkian to dismiss the Interior Minister and appoint an 'acting' head for the ministry until a new candidate is confirmed. The police announced that the video in question dates back to July 1, 1403, as previously stated by the mother of one of the two girls involved in the incident. The police confirmed that the confrontation occurred due to hijab violations, referring to it as 'improper attire and unveiling,' which prompted a 'warning' from the officers. The police also acknowledged that 'during the transfer' of the two girls 'to their vehicle,' they had 'arguments and struggles' with 'law enforcement agents,' which, according to police claims, resulted in 'minor injuries' to one of the girls. The Islamic Republic Police claimed that 'after the incident, the video recorded by the police and footage from street surveillance cameras were submitted to judicial authorities for clarification,' and that the case is 'open and under investigation' in the 'judicial system and oversight of Faraja.' However, the website 'Asr Iran' reacted to the widespread backlash against the released video, stating, 'The violent encounter with these girls is very painful and regrettable. The police's behavior is as if they are arresting two habitual offenders.' This media outlet recalled Pezeshkian's remarks during election debates, where he stated, 'For 40 years we have tried to institutionalize hijab through intervention. Those who are pursuing the Noor plan should ask whether this leads us to light or if its end is darkness?' It wrote: 'One of the effective actions could be the swift change of the Interior Minister, who is a supporter of the Noor plan. Until a new minister is introduced and the confidence vote is conducted, an acting head can manage the Interior Ministry.' The release of a video showing government agents confronting two 14-year-old girls over optional hijab sparked a wave of reactions among opponents of the Islamic Republic and even supporters of Pezeshkian's government on Tuesday, August 7. The report published by 'Ensaf News' titled 'Statements and Claims of a Citizen Regarding the Encounter of Noor Plan Officers with Teenage Girls in Tehran' included statements from Maryam Abbasi, the mother of the 14-year-old girl involved, who said her daughter and her friend were assaulted by government agents enforcing the so-called 'Noor' plan on July 1 in a street in Tehran, and during the altercation, one of the girls hit an electrical pole, and the violence continued inside the van as well. According to Ms. Abbasi, her complaints and follow-ups have yielded results to the extent that the on-duty judge at the military prosecutor's office allowed her to obtain footage from the area's surveillance cameras, but thereafter, she received no further responses to her complaints and requests. In reaction to the actions of government agents, several users opposing the Islamic Republic on social media labeled the Noor plan as a 'plan of darkness' and emphasized the need to overcome this darkness. Meanwhile, some so-called 'reformist' users and supporters of Massoud Pezeshkian also opposed the 'Noor plan' and demanded accountability from the President of the Fourteenth Government in this regard. Ali Sharifizarji, a professor at Sharif University of Technology who was expelled for supporting students during the protests of 1401 but strongly supported Pezeshkian in the 1403 government elections, wrote in a post on X: 'Stop the oppression of girls. The Noor plan is darkness.' Ali Mojtahedzadeh, a lawyer, wrote in a post on X: 'Mr. Pezeshkian, you promised not to remain silent against such illegal and un-Islamic actions towards our children, and if you cannot put an end to this situation, you should abandon the worthless power. We are counting on your word.' Massoud Pezeshkian, who is now appointed as the President of the Fourteenth Government, had stated during his competition with five other candidates selected by the Guardian Council to succeed Raisi: 'I guarantee that the entire government will stand firmly against mandatory patrols, filtering, and external pressures in all meetings.' He also wrote in a post on the filtered social media platform X: 'The Noor plan is leading our society towards darkness. For 40 years, they have tried to correct the hijab situation through interventions; they should ask themselves if it has not gotten worse?' These promises from Massoud Pezeshkian and the demands of his supporters come at a time when pressures from Islamic Republic officials on women and the suppression of their right to optional dress have intensified since April 25, 1403, following Ali Khamenei's command in a plan dubbed the 'Noor plan.' Meanwhile, Massoud Pezeshkian emphasized the necessity of continuing Ali Khamenei's policies during his inauguration ceremony on August 9.