Tensions Rise Over Mandatory Hijab; Shari'atmadari Says Khamenei Has No Spokesperson

Following Ali Khamenei's remarks regarding the government's handling of optional hijab by a member of the 'Office for Preservation and Publication of the Leader's Works', Hossein Shari'atmadari, Khamenei's representative at Kayhan, attacked Mehdi Fazeli, writing: 'The leadership has no spokesperson; from what position have you tweeted?' In Shari'atmadari's note, it is stated that the Leader's office has no spokesperson and that if a warning is necessary, it will be communicated directly and with reference by 'Mr. Golpayegani and Hajazi' to its audience, whether officials or the public. Shari'atmadari emphasized that the 'Leader's office' strictly avoids using the term 'an informed source'. The editor-in-chief of Kayhan, which relies on public funding, attacked Fazeli, stating that the opinion attributed to Khamenei 'is outside the mentioned protocol and is unexpected from you.' A few days ago, Mehdi Fazeli, who identifies himself as a member of the 'Office for Preservation and Publication of the Leader's Works', published a post on his X social media account quoting Ali Khamenei: 'Removing the hijab is both religiously and politically forbidden... However... the enemy has entered this matter with a plan, and we must also enter with a program and plan. Unregulated and unplanned actions should not take place.' This text emphasized that 'recently, some officials have received warnings due to unregulated actions in the hijab area.' Reports indicate that as criticisms of Fazeli intensified, an old tweet of his was reshared, raising suspicions of his retreat from the claim of 'warning'. Fazeli emphasized: 'For hours, the tweet below has been reshared as my new tweet and as a retreat from the previous tweet; while confirming the content of this tweet, which is about 1.5 years old, I emphasize that yesterday's tweet remains valid.' These emphases on the necessity of continuing the crackdown on optional hijab and the mobilization of law enforcement against the public come while some critics believe that to align the people with the religious dictates of the government, action must first be taken against those who violate in the name of religion. In this regard, the editor-in-chief of the 'Jomhouri Islami' newspaper, also appointed by Ali Khamenei, wrote: 'Government and system officials cannot succeed in enforcing the religious and legal ruling of hijab by resorting to methods such as guidance patrols and usual arrests.' Masih Mohajeri emphasized that 'as long as you do not clarify the case of the insulting preacher to the Prophet and the issue of the flower garden, you cannot compel society to adhere to religion and hijab.' According to Mohajeri, before such actions, violators in any position and attire must be prosecuted, the economic crisis must be eradicated, livelihood issues resolved, and legitimate freedoms secured. Meanwhile, as the 'crackdown on optional hijab' continues in Iran and women confront agents in the streets, the Minister of Interior of the Islamic Republic praised the efforts of the agents. According to the Khabar Online website, Ahmad Vahidi described the hijab issue in the Islamic Republic as one of the 'identity pillars of the system' and stated: 'We must not allow malicious violations by enemy agents who seek to undermine legal and religious rulings in the country to be easy and possible.' Images published on social media show government forces behaving violently towards women who have chosen optional hijab. This violence has been protested by a significant number of Iranians, including those who believe in Islam. Ali Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic, in his Eid al-Fitr prayer speech on Wednesday, April 22, issued a new order to the 'commanders of good' whom he had previously described as 'fire at will', asking them to 'confront religious violations.' Hours after Khamenei's order, the police announced that they would implement a plan to confront women's optional hijab starting Saturday, April 25. Amnesty International reported in a report published in Esfand 1402 that 'Iranian authorities, in an effort to eliminate resistance to mandatory hijab following the nationwide protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom', are trying to instill fear in women and girls, disrupting their daily lives and causing severe psychological distress.' Students at Amir Kabir University in Tehran were prevented from entering due to not wearing mandatory hijab. Filming and harassing women under the pretext of hijab in Babolsar. Ambiguity in the leader's opposition or support for dealing with the hijab issue. The continuation of 'the crackdown on optional hijab' in Iran; the Minister of Interior of the Islamic Republic praised the government agents. Preventing students from entering Polytechnic Tehran; 'Noor plan' has reached universities. Continuation of threats against women despite widespread protests; FaraJa: The 'Noor' plan continues with strength.