Envoy Sacked for Missing Hejab

May 10, 2024

Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abbas Mousavi, has been fired, according to the Tasnim news agency. The dismissal follows an interview he gave a buxom and leggy female reporter in Baku who was not wearing a hejab.

A career diplomat, Mousavi served as spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2019 to 2020, while MohammadJavad Zarif was foreign minister. Mousavi was appointed as Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan in August 2020.

Images and video clips of Baku TV’s Sevinc Gulmammadova interviewing the nowdismissed ambassador spread rapidly across social media, sparking outrage among regime supporters who condemned her dress as offensive. While not confirmed officially, it appears the controversy over this interview was likely the reason for Mousavi’s dismissal.

Prior to the dismissal, the Tasnim news agency, which is affiliated with the Pasdaran, argued that the interview took place in the Iranian Embassy in Baku, which is considered Iranian territory under international law and that Iranian diplomats worldwide are mandated to adhere to the principles of the Islamic Republic.

Tasnim argued that Gulmammadova’s “breach” of the hejab code is especially serious because it transpired within the confines of the Iranian embassy and in the company of the Iranian ambassador, insisting the ambassador should resign “for the sake of Iran’s honor.” Gulmammadova has not faced criticism for not wearing hejab during interviews with ambassadors from the UAE and Pakistan. Bultan News, aligned with regime hardliners, said, “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be held accountable [for this interview]. Why should Iran’s honor be tarnished on Iranian soil?”