News
Latest News
news bulletin
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Other News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Beirut
29
o
Bekaa
31
o
Keserwan
29
o
Metn
29
o
Mount Lebanon
28
o
North
31
o
South
29
o
Live
Video
Audio
Schedule
shows
العربية
watching now
Loto
SUBSCRIBE
Home
Notification
Live
Video
Audio
shows
Beirut
29
o
Bekaa
31
o
Keserwan
29
o
Metn
29
o
Mount Lebanon
28
o
North
31
o
South
29
o
News
Programs
The News
Breaking Headlines
Israel-Gaza War Updates
Variety and Tech
Sports News
Middle East News
World News
Lebanon News
Press Highlights
Lebanon Economy
News Bulletin Reports
Programs
Series
Movies
Documentaries
Variety
Comedy
Talk Show
News Bulletin
Sports
Breaking News
Latest News
Highlighted News
Most Read
Videos
العربية
Watch the latest programs and the latest developments on your favorite screen
Shows
Join millions of followers
Who We Are
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Careers
Channel frequencies
Privacy Policy
Terms and Conditions
Activists say: Iran's strike on Israel coincided with crackdown on dissent at home
Middle East News
23-04-2024 | 06:20
High views
Share
Share
4
min
Activists say: Iran's strike on Israel coincided with crackdown on dissent at home
The same day Iran launched its first-ever direct attack on Israel it embarked on a less-noticed confrontation at home, ordering police in several cities to take to the streets to arrest women accused of flouting its strict Islamic dress code.
Iranian authorities insist that their so-called Nour (Light) campaign targets businesses and individuals who defy the hijab law, aiming to respond to demands from devout citizens who are angry about the growing number of unveiled women in public.
But activists and some politicians say the campaign appears aimed not only at enforcing mandatory hijab-wearing but also at discouraging any wider dissent at a vulnerable moment for the clerical rulers.
Under Iran's sharia or Islamic law, women are obliged to cover their hair and wear long, loose-fitting clothes. Offenders face public rebuke, fines, or arrest.
The laws have become a political flashpoint since protests over the death of a young woman in the custody of the country's "morality police" in 2022 spiraled into the worst political turmoil since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In a show of civil disobedience, unveiled women have frequently appeared in public since the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Security forces violently put down the subsequent revolt, which called for the government's downfall.
As Iran's drone and missile assault unfolded on April 13, Tehran Police Chief Abbasali Mohammadian went on state TV to announce the new campaign.
"Starting today, Police in Tehran and other cities will carry out measures against those who violate the hijab law," he said, while hundreds of police swept onto the streets of the capital and other cities.
Social media users posted pictures of a heavy morality police presence in Tehran and videos of police violently arresting women they alleged were improperly dressed, including plainclothes security forces dragging young women into police vans.
Morality police vans had largely vanished from the streets since last year.
The campaign rapidly drew public expressions of unease.
Concerned about what they say could be a deepening rift between the establishment and society at large, some politicians have criticized the intensified crackdown.
Former Labour minister Ali Rabeie posted on his X account: "I really don't understand when Iranian people feel good and are proud about confronting Israel, suddenly a group (of decision makers) push the society towards confrontation with the establishment?."
Some others suspect the campaign had a political motive.
A human rights activist in Tehran said the move was aimed at "injecting fear into society to prevent any anti-war protests and quell domestic dissent when the rulers are at war with Israel".
"It is no coincidence that on the very day of the attack on Israel, police flooded the streets. They were concerned about the resurgence of unrest," said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue's sensitivity.
A former moderate government official said the clerical rulers had adopted a tougher stance against voices calling for political and social changes, fearing that such views could gain traction at a time when Iran is under external pressure.
"That is part of the rulers' strategy to consolidate their grip on power when the country faces threats from its arch-enemy Israel," said the former official.
An Iranian politician, a former lawmaker, said "It is not just about cracking down on women who violate the dress code. In the past days, we have witnessed a clear crackdown on any sign of dissent".
Reuters
Middle East News
Iran
Israel
Activists
AAttack
Retaliation
Police
Arrest
War
Next
Trump says he will visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE as early as May
Recommended For You
d-none hideMe
0
Middle East News
11:52
Israeli Defense Minister says will strike Iran again if threatened
Middle East News
11:52
Israeli Defense Minister says will strike Iran again if threatened
0
Middle East News
10:50
Houthi leader says group won't permit sea passage of goods related to Israel
Middle East News
10:50
Houthi leader says group won't permit sea passage of goods related to Israel
0
Israel-Gaza War Updates
07:03
EU strikes deal with Israel to 'expand' aid access to Gaza
Israel-Gaza War Updates
07:03
EU strikes deal with Israel to 'expand' aid access to Gaza
0
Middle East News
04:01
Yemen's Houthis claim missile attack targeting Israel
Middle East News
04:01
Yemen's Houthis claim missile attack targeting Israel
Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
2025-06-03
Iran’s Araghchi visits Beirut reaffirms support for Lebanon’s sovereignty
Lebanon News
2025-06-03
Iran’s Araghchi visits Beirut reaffirms support for Lebanon’s sovereignty
0
Middle East News
2025-06-13
Abu Dhabi airport says expects flight disruptions after Israel attacks Iran
Middle East News
2025-06-13
Abu Dhabi airport says expects flight disruptions after Israel attacks Iran
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-23
Forty-five municipalities win uncontested in Nabatieh, south Lebanon
Lebanon News
2025-05-23
Forty-five municipalities win uncontested in Nabatieh, south Lebanon
0
Lebanon News
2025-06-05
Total of 17 Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs
Lebanon News
2025-06-05
Total of 17 Israeli airstrikes hit Beirut’s southern suburbs
Videos
d-none hideMe
0
Lebanon News
2025-07-01
Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district
Lebanon News
2025-07-01
Massive fire erupts at unregulated dumpsite in Bchannine, Zgharta district
0
Lebanon News
2025-06-10
Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)
Lebanon News
2025-06-10
Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)
0
Lebanon News
2025-06-04
Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties
Lebanon News
2025-06-04
Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-19
President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels
Lebanon News
2025-05-19
President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-15
LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future
Lebanon News
2025-05-15
LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video
0
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers
Lebanon News
2025-05-11
Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers
0
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-09
EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-09
EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview
0
Lebanon News
2025-04-23
US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads
Lebanon News
2025-04-23
US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads
Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
1
Lebanon News
03:53
Clash erupts between south Lebanon residents and UNIFIL forces—Video
Lebanon News
03:53
Clash erupts between south Lebanon residents and UNIFIL forces—Video
2
News Bulletin Reports
12:51
Israel tests boundaries in Lebanon with new ground incursions and offenses
News Bulletin Reports
12:51
Israel tests boundaries in Lebanon with new ground incursions and offenses
3
Lebanon News
14:11
Total arrests rise to eight over arms displayed during Ashura march
Lebanon News
14:11
Total arrests rise to eight over arms displayed during Ashura march
4
News Bulletin Reports
13:01
From ground incursions to media narratives: Israel’s dual approach in Lebanon—the details
News Bulletin Reports
13:01
From ground incursions to media narratives: Israel’s dual approach in Lebanon—the details
5
News Bulletin Reports
12:55
Hezbollah insists US must pressure Israel before dialogue on weapons: here’s what we know
News Bulletin Reports
12:55
Hezbollah insists US must pressure Israel before dialogue on weapons: here’s what we know
6
Lebanon News
04:57
One killed, another injured in strike on motorcycle near Mansouri, south Lebanon
Lebanon News
04:57
One killed, another injured in strike on motorcycle near Mansouri, south Lebanon
7
Israel-Gaza War Updates
14:59
Hamas agrees to release ten hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire talks, says negotiations are tough
Israel-Gaza War Updates
14:59
Hamas agrees to release ten hostages as part of Gaza ceasefire talks, says negotiations are tough
8
Lebanon News
06:00
UNIFIL spokesperson says peacekeepers can operate independently under Resolution 1701
Lebanon News
06:00
UNIFIL spokesperson says peacekeepers can operate independently under Resolution 1701
Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
We use
cookies
We use
cookies
to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More