Tehran's state-appointed Friday prayer leader said that defiance of the Islamic veil was tantamount to collaboration with Israel and the United States, underscoring tension in the clerical establishment on hijab enforcement.

“An American author said: 'Remove the hijab, and you've effectively joined Mossad operations.' I urge all women to consider their faith and country,” Ahmad Khatami said at a prayer gathering on the Islamic holy day of the week.

Khatami went on to say half of those defying the mandatory headscarf need to come back to Shi'ite Islam.

"Unveiled women fall into two groups: adversaries whom the law confronts, and Shi'ite well-wishers who must align with Fatima Camp. I implore all women to prioritize their faith and nation,” Khatami said.

Fatima al-Zahra, daughter of Prophet Muhammad, wife of Ali the first Shiite Imam holds unparalleled status as the only woman in the Prophet's infallible household, making her central to Shiite theology and devotion.

Visible change

Despite mounting threats, civil resistance to the mandatory hijab persists, with many women appearing in public without it to reject the policy.

Enforcement has slackened and a draconian new law on veiling was paused.

While political and espionage arrests have mounted along with executions, authorities have tamped down on veiling as social and economic pressures mount in Iran.

Women and girls in Iran have increasingly defied the mandatory headscarf since the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest movement, sparked by the death of young Mahsa Amini in morality police custody in 2022.

Critics argue the state’s expanding enforcement apparatus shows that the priority is social control rather than easing economic hardship.