By Iranian police have temporarily closed the Turkish Airlines office in Tehran following reports that female employees defied the country’s mandatory headscarf law. The incident, reported by Iranian media on Tuesday, underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran’s strict dress code for women and its enforcement.
According to the semi-official Tasnim news agency, police officers visited the Turkish Airlines office on Monday to issue a “first warning” regarding the “non-observance of hijab” by company employees. The situation escalated when the employees, who are Iranian nationals, allegedly “made trouble for the police officers,” leading to the office’s closure.
The police action reflects the continued enforcement of Iran’s headscarf law, which has faced increasing resistance since the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Amini’s death, following her arrest by the country’s morality police, sparked widespread protests across Iran. While these demonstrations have largely subsided, some Iranian women continue to challenge the law by remaining uncovered in public spaces.
Iranian authorities have previously closed hundreds of businesses across the country for allowing female employees to forgo wearing the hijab. This enforcement intensified in the months leading up to Iran’s recent presidential election, which saw Masoud Pezeshkian emerge victorious with promises to ease enforcement of the headscarf law and improve relations with the West.
The closure of the Turkish Airlines office occurred on the same day that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan congratulated Pezeshkian on his election win, highlighting the delicate balance of diplomatic relations amidst internal policy disputes.
Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi stated that no legal proceedings or ruling had been issued regarding the sealing of the Turkish Airlines office, suggesting the closure may be temporary. Tasnim reported that the office is expected to reopen on Wednesday.
This incident occurs against the backdrop of strong bilateral relations between Iran and Turkey, with trade volume reaching $5.4 billion in 2023. Turkey is also a popular tourist destination for Iranians, with Turkish Airlines being a preferred carrier for travel to North America.
As Iran grapples with internal pressures to reform its strict dress code and external pressures to improve international relations, incidents like this highlight the ongoing challenges faced by businesses operating in the country and the complex interplay between cultural norms, law enforcement, and diplomatic considerations.
AP
