Iran’s hijab crackdown returns as women defy mandatory veiling rules

Beirut: Kurdish women hold a portrait of Iranian Mahsa Amini who died in Iran after being arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating its strictly-enforced dress code. (Photo: AP)Iran's long-running debate over mandatory hijab has resurfaced as hardliners push for stricter enforcement, even as the country grapples with the fallout of its conflict with the US.During the height of the conflict, women without headscarves were seen at pro-government gatherings and in state media, suggesting that authorities were reluctant to enforce the rules amid more pressing concerns.In recent weeks, however, conservative clerics and politicians have intensified calls for a crackdown on “public nudity”. State media have reported the closure of cafes, restaurants and shops accused of failing t