Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, recently stated that the country's morality police will no longer confront women over the mandatory hijab, marking a shift in tone as the country marks the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly. This incident had sparked nationwide protests.

At Pezeshkian's first press conference, some female journalists were seen wearing looser head coverings—a notable change from previous official events where strict dress codes were enforced. However, the UN, in a report released last week, emphasized that despite signs of a more relaxed approach, Iranian authorities have escalated efforts to control women's rights. The UN highlighted increased surveillance, physical violence, and repressive measures, including harsher penalties for women defying hijab regulations.

The report also referenced the nearing approval of a “Hijab and Chastity” bill, which proposes stricter consequences for non-compliance, such as hefty fines, longer imprisonment, and restrictions on education, work, and travel. Despite Pezeshkian’s remarks about the morality police, the UN noted that the government continues to repress women's activism, especially following the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom movement.