The Iranian police announced today, Saturday, April 8, 2023, that the authorities have started installing cameras in public places and roads to monitor women who do not comply with the hijab and punish them.

The police said in a statement that those violating the rules will receive after being monitored "warning text messages about the consequences".

The statement, which was carried by Mizan News Agency affiliated with the judiciary and other government media, said this step aims to "stop resistance to the hijab law," adding that such resistance distorts the spiritual image of the country and spreads insecurity.

An increasing number of Iranian women have been removing the hijab since the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who was in custody of the morality police in September 2022. Mahsa Amini was detained on charges of violating hijab rules, and security forces violently suppressed the rebellion.

Despite the risk of challenging the mandatory dress code, women still widely appear without hijab in shopping centers, restaurants, stores, and streets across the country. Many videos of unveiled women resisting the morality police have spread widely on social media.

The police statement called on business owners to "seriously monitor adherence to social norms through diligent inspections."

Also, under the interpretation of Islamic Sharia enforced in Iran since the 1979 revolution, women are required to cover their hair and wear long, loose clothing. Violators face public reprimand, fines, or detention.

The Interior Ministry statement on March 30, describing the hijab as "one of the pillars of the Iranian people's civilization" and "one of the practical principles of the Islamic Republic," said there will be no "retreat" on this matter, and the statement urged citizens to confront unveiled women.