London, December 08, 2025
Iranian authorities have detained two organizers of a marathon on Kish Island after numerous female participants defied the country’s mandatory hijab law, an act that violated strict dress code regulations and prompted judicial action immediately following the event.
Arrests and Organizers Involved
The judiciary confirmed the arrest of two principal organizers connected to the marathon: one identified as a local official within the Kish free zone and the other an employee of the private company responsible for arranging the race. The detainments come amid accusations of breaching public decency laws and ignoring legal-religious mandates.
Marathon Event and Women’s Protest
The marathon featured approximately 5,000 participants, with a significant number of women openly running without the compulsory hijab. This visible defiance aligns with ongoing protests against Iran’s compulsory veiling that have persisted since widespread demonstrations erupted across the country in 2022.
Political and Social Context
These arrests illustrate the intensifying enforcement pressures demanded by ultraconservative factions insisting on strict compliance with hijab regulations. The incident highlights the persistent social tension in Iran between state-imposed dress codes and women’s rights activists advocating for personal freedoms. Some government officials had previously shown reluctance to pursue harsher penalties, revealing internal friction over policy implementation.
Conservative Media and Backlash
Conservative media outlets condemned the marathon as an act of “public debauchery,” calling for severe punishments against the organizers, whom they accuse of neglecting religious and national values. This strong rhetoric underscores the polarization within Iranian society regarding cultural and religious norms.
Resignations and Institutional Responses
The event follows a series of resignations within Iran’s sports administration triggered by women’s non-compliance with hijab rules during official competitions, reflecting institutional strains and the complicated role of sporting events in this socio-political struggle.
International and Opposition Perspectives
Exiled Iranian journalists and international critics denounce the arrests as manifestations of systemic “gender apartheid,” framing the legal crackdown as an extreme repression of personal liberties and a symbol of broader gender discrimination enforced by the state.
The marathon incident and subsequent judicial actions represent a critical flashpoint in Iran’s ongoing confrontation over compulsory hijab laws, illustrating the deepening divide between government forces intent on upholding traditional religious mandates and women’s movements demanding expanded social freedoms. This event signals continued societal unrest with potential implications for Iran’s international image and internal governance.