Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has suspended the enforcement of a controversial hijab law following escalating domestic and international protests. The law, scheduled for December 13, imposed harsh penalties, including fines up to $2,000, prison sentences, and restrictions on public services for women defying the Islamic dress code. President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed concerns, warning it could provoke conflicts and isolate parts of the population. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, condemned the law as “draconian,” citing risks of increased repression. The suspension marks a pivotal moment for women’s rights in Iran, following the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death.
