Today in Focus The Iranian women defying the law
Dec 1, 2025
Kiana Hayeri, a photojournalist focused on Iran and women's rights, shares her eye-opening return to Tehran, where defying hijab rules is becoming increasingly visible. Deepa Parent, a journalist for The Guardian, analyzes the aftermath of the Women, Life, Freedom movement, detailing the societal shifts and the harsh repression that followed. They discuss the surprising defiance seen on the streets, the complex reality of life in Iran post-protests, and the evolving dynamics within the regime as economic pressures mount.
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Surreal Return To A Changed Tehran
- Kiana Hayeri described arriving in Tehran and finding friends at the airport not wearing hijab and modern women in cafes, which felt surreal to her.
- She saw visible changes immediately, including bare midriffs and unapologetic dress among young women in central Tehran.
Visible Defiance Masks Covert Repression
- Viral videos show bareheaded women in Tehran, but visible street defiance doesn't capture covert repression and executions.
- Deepa Parent warns the surface openness is paired with targeted, silent oppression behind the scenes.
Family Attitudes Shifting Fast
- Kiana witnessed relatives and formerly strict men treating daughters with far more freedom since the protests began.
- A detained friend removed her hijab for her child's future and said repeatedly, “I'm doing this for my daughter.”