September 15, 2023
Iran has now told men working for the government that neckties and short sleeved shirts are banned from government offices.
The new rules were announced in May by Ali Khan-Mohammadi, the spokesperson at the Office for Promoting Virtue and Preventing Vice, a state morality body.
Iran introduced stringent dress codes for men a few years ago but eased them shortly afterward. However, the government has now revived them as part of its latest crackdown on dress standards.
The Interior Ministry has directed all government offices, institutions, and organizations to enforce the “Hejab and Chastity” scheme.
In an interview with the Tehran-based Sharq daily May 9, Khan-Mohammadi, also the director of the “Morality Patrol Managers HQ,” said: “Men should not wear tight-fitting trousers, short-sleeve shirts, [designer] brands, offensive outfits or shorts,” Khan-Mohammadi said, “First-time offenders will receive a warning. Their workplace security office will investigate a repeat offender for misconduct.”
There is no evidence that male government workers have ever worn tight-fitting trousers, neckties or shorts at the workplace. Male employees have always been warned against wearing short-sleeve shirts in government offices.
The 48th Gathering of the Iranian Bar Associations Unions (SCODA) in Ahvaz, was reportedly canceled after several male lawyers attended the event wearing neckties.
According to the deputy director of SCODA’s Ahvaz chapter, the venue’s security officials stopped the event after several lawyers wore neckties, even though the conference hall’s managers had not previously issued a dress code.
The government started enforcing the “Hejab and Chastity” scheme at the beginning of May.
Meanwhile, the Pasdar commander for Greater Tehran, Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, said the Pasdaran would only enter a government building to enforce the dress code in those offices if requested.
