Iranian Women Targeted by Surveillance System for Hijab Violations

Women in Isfahan, Tehran, and Shiraz have received threatening text messages for alleged hijab violations while walking in public areas.

The messages reveal that the Islamic Republic has expanded its surveillance methods targeting women, moving beyond license plate identification to broader monitoring tactics.

Experts say the system now combines AI technology, CCTV analysis, SIM card tracking, and banking information to identify people and monitor their movements.

Women without cars, previously less affected by these measures, now report receiving warning messages after simply walking through camera-monitored areas.

The messages typically warn: “Your case has been forwarded to legal authorities,” “Your information has been tracked by the surveillance system,” or “Your clothing does not comply with Islamic Republic laws.”

Some recipients have been summoned to court, where high-quality images captured by city cameras were presented as evidence.

The system uses banking transactions and SIM card data to confirm identities.

Women have noted increased scrutiny of their appearance, with even minor adjustments to headscarves triggering additional messages.

Initially concentrated in Isfahan, the surveillance program has quickly spread to Tehran, Shiraz, and other major cities, with numerous women reporting warnings despite not using any vehicles.