The Scientific Assistance of the Presidency of Iran prevented journalist Susan Nuri from attending a press conference in this institution due to dress code and mandatory hijab criteria. A day earlier, security agents from the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of District 33 in Tehran (Evin) had also barred photographer and women’s rights activist Alieh Motallebzadeh from entering the courthouse due to her refusal to comply with the mandatory hijab.
On Sunday, February 2, 2025, Susan Nuri tweeted on her account: “Today, I was prevented from entering a press conference at the Scientific Assistance of the Presidency due to wearing a coat, even though I had a hijab on.” Ms. Noori further criticized the government of Massoud Pezeshkian, stating, “This pain, this suffering, this humiliation—how long will it continue? Was this the defense of women’s rights and the rejection of extremist behavior in Pezeshkian’s government?”
One day earlier, Alieh Motallebzadeh described the incident on her Twitter account, stating: “Today, I went to Branch 4 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office with my lawyer, where we were prevented from entering due to the aggressive behavior of the courthouse security regarding my attire and the imposition of wearing a chador, which I refused.” Matlabehzadeh also criticized the “harsh” treatment by the security agents from the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of District 33 in Tehran (Evin), mentioning that she had undergone surgery and continued “radiotherapy” due to illness.
The enforcement of mandatory hijab and intervention in the dress code of female journalists in Iran is a recurring event in the country; an occurrence that results in compounded discrimination and disruption in the professional activities of Iranian women journalists.