“Not wearing a hijab (head-covering scarf) in Iran leads to arrest” and “Violating hijab requirements results in severe punishment” – many people hold these impressions. Indeed, Iranian aircraft are famous for announcements stating “We have entered Iranian airspace. Female passengers are requested to wear hijabs,” and legally, hijab wearing is mandatory for women.
However, in 2025, walking through Iranian streets reveals scenes quite different from media-portrayed images. Particularly since the “Hijab Revolution” following the 2022 Mahsa Amini incident, a significant gap has emerged between Iran’s daily reality and its laws. In reality, is “arrest for not wearing hijab” true? Based on local observations and voices from residents, we report on the actual state of Iran’s hijab culture.
Hijab Wearing Reality: Unexpected Scenes
More Freedom Than Expected in City Streets
While hijab wearing is indeed legally mandatory for women in Iran, actual implementation varies greatly by region and location. Particularly in urban areas like the capital Tehran and tourist destination Isfahan, women not wearing hijabs or wearing them very loosely have become a common daily sight.
Since the Hijab Revolution, many young women have continued their resistance by consciously removing hijabs or showing most of their hair. Surprisingly, such acts that would have been immediately cracked down on by morality police in the past are now increasingly overlooked in many cases. Iranian civil society’s resistance and determination for change is gradually transforming social reality.
“No Arrest for Not Wearing Hijab” – Local Voices
Regarding concerns about “Will I be arrested?”, a woman residing in Shiraz says:
“Since the revolution, many women, especially younger generations, have stopped wearing hijabs. While it may technically be illegal, with so many people doing it, arresting and punishing everyone would be chaos (laughs). So there’s probably no punishment.”
This testimony reveals the large gap that has emerged between law and reality. Even if laws remain on paper, practical implementation has already changed, and particularly in urban areas, many women choose their own style without fearing penalties. “Arrest for not wearing hijab” is, at least in 2025 urban areas, a perception far removed from reality.
Diverse Response Strategies
Many women in urban areas wear casual head coverings
Iranian women employ various approaches to the law:
- Women who completely don’t wear hijabs: Particularly among younger generations, women showing their hair completely are increasing. They don’t appear to receive strange looks or disapproving stares from others.
- Women who wear hijabs loosely: A common wearing method involves pulling scarves back on the head, showing most of the hair. This style uses hijabs as fashion items. Particularly in affluent northern Tehran areas, very loose wearing with colorful scarves just draped over shoulders is also seen.
- Women using alternative methods: Since the law’s literal text mandates scarf wearing, many women substitute with knit caps, berets, or hoodie hoods. Particularly in winter, such alternatives are more naturally accepted.
There are various cases from formally placing some fabric over the head to completely exposing hair. The looseness is comparable to Indonesia perhaps. However, Iran shows significant generational differences. Elderly women tend to wear traditional black chadors, while younger generations increasingly choose loose wearing or non-wearing. These generational differences reflect changing values in Iranian society.
Real Guide for Travelers: Balancing Flexibility and Respect
While hijab wearing requirements in principle apply to foreign women visiting Iran, actual responses are flexible as described above.
However, according to locals, travelers should generally cover their heads in some form for safety. This serves not only safety purposes but also demonstrates respect for local culture. Iranian people don’t indiscriminately expose their heads but do so appropriately according to time, place, and occasion. As travelers unfamiliar with local manners and culture, it’s better to generally keep heads covered.
Points for Travelers:
- Airports and public institutions are relatively strict, but general city streets are lenient.
- When clearly identifiable as tourists, treatment is often more tolerant than for locals.
- Generally, simply draping a scarf over the head is often sufficient, with no need to cover the entire body.
- Colorful scarves are fine, but covering from the hairline provides peace of mind.
Also know that social conservatism varies by region in Iran. Tourist destinations like Tehran and Isfahan are relatively liberal, while religious cities like Qom (holy city) and Mashhad expect conservative dress.
Summary: The Truth About “Arrest for Not Wearing Hijab”
The stereotype that “not wearing hijab leads to arrest” in Iran doesn’t accurately reflect 2025 reality. While hijab wearing requirements legally still exist, a significant gap has emerged between law and reality.
What’s important is understanding Iran’s complex reality rather than viewing it through stereotypes based solely on online information. Even the hijab issue alone cannot be simply categorized as “strict” or “free” – diverse realities exist including differences between urban and rural areas, generations, and social classes.
Iran is currently undergoing major transformation between tradition and change. We hope this serves as an opportunity to understand this complex and fascinating country’s true character beyond one-dimensional images conveyed by Western media.
