Iranian woman arrested for 'death to dictator' protest, eyewitness says

A young Iranian woman was arrested for appearing without a mandatory head covering and chanting "death to the dictator" in a public square in southwestern Iran on Monday, an eyewitness told Iran International.

The protest points to smoldering discontent even after authorities quashed by force a nationwide protest movement against clerical rule which began in 2022.

At the central clocktower square in the city of Yasuj, a young woman who appeared to be in her late 20s removed her headscarf and outer layer of clothes in the midst of a crowd according to the eyewitness, who declined to be identified for security reasons.

Dressed in a tank top and trousers, she chanted “Death to the dictator!” the source added. The slogan is a common refrain among dissidents against 85-year-old Supreme Leader and theocrat Ali Khamenei.

Iran International later obtained a video showing the woman chanting "Long Live the King".

Security forces promptly descended on the woman, wrapping her in a blanket and forcibly bundling her into a departing car.

A source, speaking to Iran International on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said two men were also arrested after attempting to defend her during the arrest.

The Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran was sparked by the death of a young woman, Mahsa Amini, in September 2022 while in police custody over hijab violations.

Hardliners have intensified efforts to enforce strict dress codes for women even as a new law on hijab enforcement appears to have lapsed and Javad Zarif, a relative moderate Iranian vice president, said the government aimed not to pressure women.

Despite the official statements and widespread public defiance, government measures to reinforce mandatory hijab laws have persisted, resulting in the closure of businesses and the impoundment of vehicles associated with hijab offenses.