Iranian authorities have arrested two organisers of a marathon held on Kish Island after photos circulated online showing several female participants running without hijabs. The event, which took place on Friday (5 December), featured around 2,000 women and 3,000 men competing in separate categories.
Images of a handful of female runners in red T-shirts without head coverings triggered intense backlash from conservative groups. Supporters of women’s rights, however, praised the participants, calling their act a symbolic rejection of the state’s restrictive dress codes.
Officials responded rapidly. Prosecutors in Kish said the marathon was conducted in an “unacceptable” manner and amounted to a “violation of public morality.” They did not clarify what specific aspects breached the standards of “modesty.”
The hijab issue remains a central flashpoint in Iran’s political landscape. Despite occasional signs of loosened enforcement, authorities continue to target women who choose not to cover their hair. The 2022 death of Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini—who was detained for allegedly showing strands of hair beneath her hijab—sparked nationwide protests and fuelled growing defiance among Iranian women.
In recent weeks, the government has intensified its crackdown again. Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei warned that intelligence agents would be newly deployed to monitor “improper” dress, adding that not only women but also anyone “encouraging indecency” would be identified.
Critics argue that prioritising dress-code enforcement over genuine criminal investigations raises concerns about Iran’s internal security approach and fuels further tension between citizens and the state.
