Iran Intensifies Crackdown on Dissent Amidst Easing Veil Restrictions

Dual Reality: Easing Social Rules, Tightening Political Grip

The Islamic Republic of Iran is reportedly intensifying its crackdown on political dissent, targeting a wide array of individuals, even as visible restrictions on mandatory veiling appear to be easing in some public spaces. This dual approach is seen by critics as a calculated strategy by clerical rulers to manage public opinion amidst economic isolation and internal unrest, while simultaneously suppressing any form of opposition.

Broadening Scope of Repression

Human rights organizations and international bodies report a significant increase in the harassment, summoning, detention, and punitive measures against hundreds of individuals. Those targeted include activists, journalists, lawyers, students, writers, and human rights advocates. Members of ethnic and religious minorities, such as Kurds, Baluchis, and Baha'is, have also been disproportionately affected. Furthermore, family members of those killed or executed during the 2022 'Woman, Life, Freedom' protests have faced intimidation and repression.

Methods of repression include:

• Mass arrests and detentions, often without due process.
• Unfair trials and severe sentences based on vague charges like 'propaganda against the state' or 'national security' offenses.
• Threats and intimidation against activists and their families.
• The use of checkpoints in cities to facilitate arrests.

Escalation of Executions

The rate of executions in Iran has surged to levels not witnessed since 1989. According to UN reports:

• At least 975 people were executed in 2024, marking the highest number since 2015.
• In the first half of 2024 alone, over 400 people were executed.
• As of October 21, 2025, at least 1,176 people had been executed in 2025, averaging approximately four per day.

These executions have been carried out for various offenses, including drug-related crimes, homicides, and broadly defined national security charges. A significant number are linked to the September 2022 protests and target political dissidents. Reports indicate that at least 31 women were executed in 2024, alongside 108 Baluch and 84 Kurdish prisoners. Concerns persist regarding allegations of torture, forced confessions, and denial of legal representation in trials leading to death sentences.

The Veil and Dissent: A Calculated Strategy

While the crackdown on political dissent intensifies, there has been a noticeable, albeit selective, easing of visible veil restrictions. Women are increasingly seen in public without mandatory head coverings in some areas, and President Masoud Pezeshkian has reportedly vetoed a strict 'Hijab and Chastity' law, calling for its reassessment. This relaxation is interpreted by observers as a deliberate tactic to diffuse social tensions and project an image of openness, particularly amid Iran's growing economic isolation.

However, this easing is not uniform. The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran (FFMI) noted intensified repression against women defying mandatory hijab, with at least 618 women arrested for noncompliance in 2024. Businesses, such as cafes, have also been targeted and closed for failing to enforce dress codes.

International Condemnation and Ongoing Concerns

The human rights situation in Iran continues to draw strong condemnation from the international community. The UN Human Rights Council has extended the mandates of both the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Iran and the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran. Reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International consistently highlight severe human rights violations, including arbitrary killings, torture, and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. The FFMI has concluded that many of the government's actions related to the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement amount to crimes against humanity.