Iran’s Raisi Vows to Foil ‘Hijab Removal Movement’

Raisi speaks to women on the sidelines of an IRGC conference in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)
Raisi speaks to women on the sidelines of an IRGC conference in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)
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Iran’s Raisi Vows to Foil ‘Hijab Removal Movement’

Raisi speaks to women on the sidelines of an IRGC conference in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)
Raisi speaks to women on the sidelines of an IRGC conference in Tehran. (Iranian Presidency)

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi pledged to foil the movement demanding the removal of the mandatory hijab in the country.

He made his remarks a month before the first anniversary of protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini.

"I am telling you that the removal of the hijab will definitely come to an end, do not worry," Raisi said Wednesday at a commemoration ceremony for Iranian fighters killed in Iraq and Syria.

The president's statements coincide with the enforcement of strict security measures in anticipation of a renewal of the protests, fueled by the death of Amini, a young Kurdish woman, who was on a family visit to Tehran when police arrested her for not abiding by the country’s strict dress code for women. She died in custody, sparking the protests.

Following the protests, women defied authorities and more and more have been seen in Tehran and main cities without the hijab.

Raisi slammed the removal of the hijab, saying it was part of an “organized movement” and threatening to hold to account those “involved in the enemies’ plot”.

An Iranian draft law that would set new penalties for women not wearing a headscarf in public has sparked heated debate.

More than 500 protesters were killed in the violent crackdown on the protests in wake of Amini’s death. Over 20,000 people were arrested and seven executed on charges of attacking the security forces.

Around 70 members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Basij forces, the police, and the security forces were killed in clashes with demonstrators.

Last month, Iran relaunched patrols by the morality police to tackle the growing phenomenon of the hijab removal.

Police plan to use smart technology in public places to identify women who don’t wear a headscarf. Authorities have also shut down dozens of restaurants, stores, and other businesses across the country they say were failing to comply with the mandatory headscarf law.



Kremlin Says Putin is Ready to Discuss Peace in Ukraine but Wants to Achieve Goals

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Alexander Avdeyev, the governor of Vladimir region, during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 18, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Alexander Avdeyev, the governor of Vladimir region, during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 18, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
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Kremlin Says Putin is Ready to Discuss Peace in Ukraine but Wants to Achieve Goals

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Alexander Avdeyev, the governor of Vladimir region, during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 18, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Alexander Avdeyev, the governor of Vladimir region, during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Friday, July 18, 2025. (Mikhail Metzel, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to move toward a peace settlement for Ukraine but Moscow's main objective is to achieve its goals, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state television in a clip published on Sunday.

Peskov said that the world was now accustomed to US President Donald Trump's sometimes "harsh" rhetoric but pointed out that Trump had also underscored in comments on Russia that he would continue to search for a peace deal, Reuters said.

"President Putin has repeatedly spoken of his desire to bring the Ukrainian settlement to a peaceful conclusion as soon as possible. This is a long process, it requires effort, and it is not easy," Peskov said told state television reporter Pavel Zarubin.

"The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear," Peskov said.

On Monday, Trump announced a tougher stance on Russia, pledging a new wave of military aid to Ukraine, including Patriot missile defense systems. He also gave Russia a 50-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire or face additional sanctions.