Iranian Woman Strips at University in Protest Against Dress Code, Spark Debate Online

In a bold act of defiance against Iran’s strict dress code, a young woman stripped to her underwear at a branch of Islamic Azad University, sparking widespread debate online. The incident, which took place on Saturday, was captured on video and circulated on social media, with mixed reactions about the woman’s motivations.

Footage shows security personnel detaining the woman shortly after the act. Islamic Azad University spokesperson Amir Mahjob stated on platform X (formerly Twitter) that, during questioning at the police station, it was determined she was under "severe mental pressure" and might have a mental disorder.

However, social media users speculated that her actions were a conscious protest against Iran's mandatory hijab laws. "For many women, public exposure is terrifying... This is a direct reaction to authorities' rigid insistence on the hijab," commented user Lei La on X.

While the woman’s current status remains unknown, Iranian newspaper Hamshahri reported that an “informed source” indicated she may be sent to a mental health facility following investigations.

The incident comes amid heightened resistance to Iran’s strict hijab regulations, with a rising number of women publicly defying the mandate since the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Amini, a young Kurdish woman, died in the custody of Iran’s morality police, sparking nationwide protests that were ultimately suppressed by security forces.