IRGC Ex-Commander Vows To Counter ‘Hijab Removal’

Mohammad Ali Jafari, the former commander of the Revolutionary Guards, has stated that the Islamic Republic is committed to addressing what he terms the "hijab removal sedition."

Jafari's remarks come amidst the deployment of government-affiliated forces, known as 'hijab enforcers,' in the Tehran metro since August, intensifying their activities and facing harsh confrontations with women and girls in recent months.

Jafari, also known as Aziz or Ali Jafari, who currently commands the Basij-e Mostaz'afin Brigade of the Revolutionary Guards, made the statement on Friday, emphasizing that "The activities of the promoters of virtue will persist in the Tehran metro, and we are determined to counter the hijab removal sedition through expanding our efforts."

He urged the expansion of enforcers actions, highlighting cooperation with the Tehran Municipality and the Tehran Metro to extend their police action to other metro stations. Drawing a parallel with election campaigns, he urged individuals to encourage their neighbors to promote virtue.

"I regret not being able to accompany you on the field due to physical limitations. The removal of hijab is a major cultural problem for us that can strike at the root of the revolution," he added.

Following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody, which triggered nationwide protests, the Iranian regime has escalated its crackdown on women defying mandatory hijab regulations, despite international condemnation. Amini was arrested in September 2022 on charges of ‘improper hijab’ and died three days later in the hospital.

Amini's death sparked widespread protests across Iran and catalyzed the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. On October 1, Armita Geravand, a teenage student in Tehran, was assaulted by hijab enforcers in the metro, resulting in a coma. She passed away after 28 days in the hospital.