Iran Pauses New Stricter Hijab Law Before Implementation

The legislation would have imposed prison sentences of up to 15 years for repeat offenders.

Women wearing headscarves walk near Tajrish Square in Tehran, Iran, on July 12, 2022. Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images

Iran’s government has paused plans to implement a controversial new law that would have seen women in the country face up to 15 years in prison if they did not wear a head-covering hijab.

The compulsory legislation was first approved by the country’s Parliament in September 2023.