A representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday called for stricter measures against “improper” hijab and dog walking, as the country's new president prepares to take office.
The remarks come ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian which is slated for July 28.
Yousef Tabatabaie Nejad, the representative of Khamenei in Isfahan province, said in his Friday prayers sermon that “addressing social corruption is essential to curb moral decay in society.”
Recent reports and social media images show "hijab patrol" vehicles and agents back on the streets, a reminder of the Islamic Republic's oppressive tactics. The patrols had been withdrawn after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who died in the custody of the morality police in September 2022, sparking months of protests.
The clerical ruler's new hijab crackdown, dubbed the Nour project, has been plagued by reports of police extortion, theft, and sexual harassment. Human rights organizations, student groups, and activists have condemned these actions as violations of basic freedoms and human rights.
In his Friday remarks, Tabatabaie Nejad insisted that crackdown on "social corruption" including improper hijab and dog walking is necessary.
Muslim clerics claim dogs are unclean, leading to crackdowns that have caused conflict between pet owners and officials.
As Pezeshkian prepares to take office, the renewed focus on hijab enforcement and moral policing highlights the Islamic Republic's relentless control over personal freedoms, further proving that the country's major policies are dictated by Khamenei, leaving presidents with little room for change.
Although some try to present Pezeshkian as a reformist, he has a history of enforcing strict hijab policies. Despite publicly criticizing the treatment of women during his campaign, his voting record in parliament reveals support for restrictive laws on women's rights.
He was recently accused by his former classmate and Germany-based Iranian dissident Mina Ahadi of violently enforcing the hijab on women at a university in 1979, well before it became mandatory.
Ahadi, who studied medicine at the University of Tabriz alongside Pezeshkian, told Iran International that after the Islamic Revolution, a radical group declared that women should wear the hijab, and it was Pezeshkian who was responsible for this group.
The military leaders included Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC Chief Hossein Salami, Army Commander Abdolrahim Mousavi, Police Chief Ahmad-Reza Radan, and Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani.
Despite a history of tensions with some past governments, Bagheri declared, "The armed forces are ready to assist the new government in advancing the country's affairs."
Last week, the IRGC chief-commander had congratulated Pezeshkian on his election victory, stressing the Revolutionary Guard's "all-out preparedness" for enhanced cooperation with the incoming administration.
The IRGC, founded after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has grown into a powerful entity with substantial military, economic, and political influence. Its hardline stance contrasts sharply with the reformist agenda of greater political openness, economic liberalization, and improved relations with the West.
Administrations, like those of Presidents Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani, pushed for engagement with the West, while the IRGC remains committed to preserving revolutionary principles and resisting Western influence. This has led to frequent power struggles, with the IRGC often undermining their policies and supporting hardline candidates.
Former centrist President Hassan Rouhani sharply criticized the IRGC in 2017 for exerting influence over political and economic affairs. However, Pezeshkian, who is presented by some as a reformer, has pledged to follow policies charted by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Economically, reformist attempts to curb the IRGC's dominance in sectors like construction, telecommunications, and energy have been met with resistance, as the IRGC seeks to maintain its economic stronghold.