Hijab Revisionism, Reactions to Trump, and the Continued Rise of Qalibaf

In the purgatory between war and peace, the regime in Iran appears willing to sacrifice enforcement of hijab requirements at the altar of national unity. The regime is also signaling readiness to confront potential renewed U.S. and Israeli military attacks. Meanwhile, the regime is gradually endowing Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf with greater powers, having appointed him the special envoy to China.

• May 17: Tabnak News Agency, which is affiliated with Major General Mohsen Rezaei, released video footage of Hossein Taheri, a religious cantor, defending “patriotic women” who do not wear the hijab and criticizing the Friday prayer leader of the city of Rasht, who had condemned women for failing to abide by Iran’s hijab legislation. Addressing the crowds, Taheri said:
  • “Our martyred Imam,” a reference to the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “said this: Nobody is perfect. We each have our flaws, some visible and others invisible. But we are all united … I despise those who are trying to sow discord among us … Mr. X in province Y is treading on the blood of our martyred Imam by uttering nonsense and distinguishing between those who wear hijab and those who don’t! Look at yourselves: One sister is wearing the hijab, and the other is not, yet both are holding hands here. For me, this is the victory of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the 68-day war.”
• May 18: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-affiliated Tasnim News Agency wrote about President Donald J. Trump’s warnings to Tehran:
  • “After failing in the war against Iran, Trump hopes to extract concessions through political and military pressure and threats. He is even attempting, if possible, to take action against Iran as well. However, immediately following Trump’s threats, oil prices also rose sharply. Indeed, today oil prices surpassed $110, standing on the verge of a major surge.”
  • “Trump believes he can extract concessions through pressure and threats and sees no alternative to such tactics; yet his threats also work against him, placing even greater pressure on the United States.”
• May 18: In a post on X, Rezaei commented on Trump’s warnings to Iran:
  • “He sets a deadline for a military strike and then cancels it himself with the vain hope of making the Iranian nation and officials surrender! The iron fist of the powerful armed forces and the great Iranian nation will force them to retreat and surrender.”
• May 18: Tabnak News Agency reported Parliamentary Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Qalibaf has been appointed Iran’s special envoy to China.

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