The Islamic Republic's Efforts to Further Expand Restrictions; Social Media Advertising Under Judicial Scrutiny

Continuing its crackdown on social media activities, a public prosecutor in Iran has announced an initiative targeting advertising in cyberspace, stating that the publication of images of models with "vulgar attire and open-front manteaus and similar advertisements" is considered "criminal". The public prosecutor of the Baft district highlighted "unconventional and immoral" advertisements, citing examples such as "open-front manteaus and unveiling, displaying the body in naked and semi-naked forms, and unconventional makeup". He mentioned that "subtle investigations" have been conducted by the prosecutor's office in the cyberspace of Baft. Hamid Hasani-Nia emphasized the need for strict oversight of advertisements by businesses involved in the production and sale of women's clothing, boutiques, studios, and especially women's salons in cyberspace. Article 9 of the "Chastity and Hijab" bill, approved by the Judicial and Legal Commission of the Parliament, states: "Anyone who promotes against hijab or advocates nudity in cyberspace will be introduced to judicial authorities if they continue after the removal of their website or social media pages, facing penalties of imprisonment or a sixth-degree fine and a ban from receiving internet services for one to two years." Yesterday, the Intelligence Organization of the Police Command in Kish announced that 10 women's salons in Bandar Abbas, the capital of Hormozgan Province, were closed due to what was termed "unconventional advertising in cyberspace", and the operator of an Instagram page was arrested for publishing "norm-breaking images and disturbing public opinion". According to reports from Iranian news agencies, following the closure of the 10 women's salons in Hormozgan Province, legal cases have been opened against their owners for "violating the laws and regulations of the country, conducting unconventional advertising in cyberspace, and failing to comply with administrative regulations after coordination for the closure". Abdolhossein Khosropanah, the secretary of the "Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution" of the Islamic Republic, recently stated that hijab cannot be viewed as "merely a cultural matter" and that it is certainly a political and security issue. Legal cases have been formed for the 10 women's salons in Bandar Abbas; an Instagram user was arrested under the pretext of "non-compliance with hijab"; the issue of "non-compliance with hijab" has reached "turbulent waves" in Mashhad; the crackdown on businesses and services has intensified, including inns and cafes; several Mazandaran citizens have been arrested for "mocking compulsory hijab"; and there has been an escalation in actions against athletes supporting protests, including a raid on the home of Hossein Mahini.