Iranian Woman Stages Bold Protest Against Hijab Rules on Police Car

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei met with top Hamas officials in Tehran on February 8, 2025, as reported by Iranian state TV. The Palestinian delegation, which included acting Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya, expressed their gratitude for Iran's ongoing support for their cause during the meeting, held to celebrate the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian revolution. Khamenei commended Hamas for "defeating the Zionist regime," framing this as a broader victory against U.S. influence. "You did not allow them to achieve any of their goals," he stated, highlighting the group's resilience in the ongoing conflict with Israel. The delegation also presented Khamenei with a report on the current situation in Gaza and the West Bank, detailing successes achieved under challenging circumstances. In response to U.S. threats against Iran, Khamenei emphasized that such pressures “have no effect on the mindset of our nation," reaffirming Iran's commitment to supporting Hamas and its agenda.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards unveiled the country’s first drone carrier, named Martyr Bahman Bagheri, during a ceremony on February 6, 2025. This project, described by naval commander Alireza Tangsiri as the "largest naval military project" in the Islamic Republic's history, repurposes a commercial vessel into a military asset over two and a half years. The carrier can launch long-range missiles, carry up to 60 drones, and is equipped for electronic warfare, capable of remaining at sea for up to a year. During the unveiling, Guards chief Hossein Salami emphasized that Iran does not seek to threaten others but insisted the nation would not succumb to threats. This military display coincided with the Fajr decade, a ten-day celebration of the Islamic Revolution. The unveiling follows recent military shows of strength by Iran, including the introduction of a new ballistic missile with a range of 1,700 kilometers, as tensions with the U.S. continue. According to IRNA, the state news agency, this initiative highlights Iran’s ongoing development of sophisticated military capabilities since the 1979 revolution.

In a striking act of defiance, a woman in Mashhad, Iran, stripped naked and leaped onto a police car, drawing significant attention to the country’s strict hijab regulations. The incident, which occurred on February 5, was captured in a video widely shared online, showing her frantically yelling at police officers while sitting atop the vehicle. Iranian journalist Masih Alinejad shared the footage, highlighting her fierce resistance against the conservative regime. Her husband reportedly stated that she was taken into care following the protest. Observers noted that a male officer appeared hesitant to act against her while she was unclothed. The protest comes in the wake of a controversial “chastity and hijab” bill passed in December 2024, which proposed severe punishments for women not adhering to strict dress codes, including possible imprisonment for up to 15 years. Activists and human rights organizations have condemned such laws, accusing the Iranian government of worsening repression following nationwide protests ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.