Iran establishes Tehran court for ‘moral security’ as it tightens monitoring of hijab compliance

ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARDAUGUST 19, 2026 13:21The Islamic Republic is establishing a new prosecutor’s office for “moral security” in Tehran to handle “violations and crimes against public morality,” including hijab non-compliance and social media posts critical of the regime, according to recordings released by Iranian media of Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi speaking at a meeting of the judiciary’s High Council.He said the office’s first actions will include taking measures against stores selling “unconventional clothing” and monitoring cyberspace.The office will reportedly be staffed by 12 judges.Announcement comes amid the renewed presence of morality policeBBC Persian reported that the announcement comes amid the renewed presence of morality police and heightened street harassment of women perceived to be violating Iran’s compulsory dress code, including women seen with their hair uncovered or wearing short sleeves.Salehi alleged the office had already helped in the arrest of two influencers who, according to him, had “mocked” the Arbaeen ceremonies (a religious ceremony marking the 40th day of mourning for Imam Hussein) online.Iranian Shi'ite pilgrims walk through the Shalamcheh border crossing to join millions of Muslims heading to the holy city of Karbala for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, in Iraq, August 7, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Mohammed Aty)"Today, the Special Prosecutor's Office for Moral Security in Tehran is seriously following up on issues and cases in this area with its concerned judges; the monitoring unit located in this prosecutor's office is also continuously reviewing content published in cyberspace so that legal action can be taken against those who publish immoral content," he said. "In this regard, recently, following the publication of an offensive video regarding the Arbaeen ceremony of Husseini in cyberspace by a woman and a man, the issue was immediately placed on the agenda of the Tehran Prosecutor's Office, and by order of the judicial authority, their page in cyberspace was blocked, and the defendants were arrested and detained."Social media users were made to publish apology videos on their accountsAn animal-rights influencer was reportedly arrested for using a religious song, "Let's Go to Najaf," which had been associated with the ceremonies, in a video of herself feeding stray dogs, according to BBC Persian.Notably, several social media users were made to publish apology videos on their accounts for posts relating to support for the exiled crown prince or Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish woman who was murdered in 2022 after being abducted by the morality police for wearing the hijab incorrectly.Despite Salehi’s comments, the Iranian legal network Dadbaan insisted in a statement that “merely publishing content in cyberspace or choosing a type of attire cannot, without the existence of explicit legal provisions and the fulfillment of the elements of a crime, serve as the basis for detention, blocking accounts, or imposing restrictions on citizens. The legal principle of the legality of crimes and punishments also requires that vague titles such as ‘moral security’ not be turned into tools for expanding the scope of criminal intervention in private life and freedom of expression.“Crackdowns on attire, lifestyle, business activities, and published content in cyberspace have previously become one of the methods of exerting social pressure on citizens. The expansion of constant monitoring and judicial action in this area signals the transformation of the criminal justice system into a tool for controlling everyday behaviors and social suppression, further restricting privacy and individual freedoms.”Follow us on Google