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Image: UGC/AFP

2022 Iran protests

The death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Jina Mahsa Amini in Sept. 2022 sparked demonstrations and violent crackdowns on the streets of Iran. Largely led by women and schoolgirls, the protests call for political change.

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An Iranian woman, not wearing the mandatory hijab, walks in a street in the capital Tehran

An Iranian woman, not wearing the mandatory hijab, walks in a street in the capital Tehran

Why Iran 'cannot turn back time' on public hijab rule

Despite state repression, Iranian women's resistance to the compulsory headscarf is growing.

A woman walks past a mural painting of Iranian flags in a street in Tehran

A woman walks past a mural painting of Iranian flags in a street in Tehran

Women in Iran fight for rights as economic crisis bites

Women bear the brunt of economic and social restrictions in Iran — and are the country's driving force for change.

The exterior of Tehran's notorious Evin prison

The exterior of Tehran's notorious Evin prison

Fearing new protests, Iran regime starts wave of arrests

Human rights activists are being arrested at random, and even the smallest protests are being brutally suppressed.

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi wearing a headscarf

Iranian human rights activist Narges Mohammadi wearing a headscarf

Iran: Reports of torture, sexual abuse of incarcerated women

Iranian Nobel Peace laureate Narges Mohammadi and other activists say violence against incarcerated women is common.

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, second right, Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, right, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, second left, and President Masoud Pezeshkian read Quran in a ceremony commemorating slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, at Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

In this photo released by the official website of the office of the Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, second right, Judiciary Chief Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, right, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, second left, and President Masoud Pezeshkian read Quran in a ceremony commemorating slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, at Imam Khomeini grand mosque in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Oct. 4, 2024

'Maximum pressure': What's in store for Iran in 2025?

Next year is not looking up for Iran, with Trump's return to the White House and women's resistance at home.

Two young Iranian women

Two young Iranian women

Iran temporarily halts strict new headscarf law

The controversial law proposes harsher punishments for women defying hijab regulations.

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmady

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmady

Iran: Singer arrested for performing without hijab

Parastoo Ahmady's lawyers have said they do not know who has arrested her and where she is being detained.

Kianoosh Sanjari, wearing a T-shirt, stands looking at the camera near the open doors of a building

Kianoosh Sanjari, wearing a T-shirt, stands looking at the camera near the open doors of a building

Kianoosh Sanjari: Iran's prisons 'disturbed my soul'

Iranian journalist and activist Kianoosh Sanjari died by suicide this week after demanding the release of prisoners.

President Masoud Pezeshkian holds his reading glasses at a governemt meeting in Tehran

President Masoud Pezeshkian holds his reading glasses at a governemt meeting in Tehran

Iran testing new strategies to soothe an angry public?

Two recent developments could be seen as a signal from Tehran that it wants to placate its critics.

A picture of Narges Mohammadi is seen superimposed over jail bars

A picture of Narges Mohammadi is seen superimposed over jail bars

Iran's political prisoners refuse to be silenced

Iran's female political prisoners have been staging weekly protests against the death penalty, defying the regime.

People holding Jina Amini poster at proest in Germany

People holding Jina Amini poster at proest in Germany

Iran executes man over killing of Revolutionary Guard

An Iranian court had convicted a man of stabbing to death a Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) officer during protests in 2022.

Saeed Jalili (l) and Masoud Pezeshkian (r) shake hands

Saeed Jalili (l) and Masoud Pezeshkian (r) shake hands

Iran presidential election run-off: Who is likely to win?

Iranians will vote in a presidential run-off pitting a relatively moderate candidate against an ultraconservative.

Black-and white printout of Iranian pro-opposition rapper Toomaj Salehi held up at protest in Paris, France

Black-and white printout of Iranian pro-opposition rapper Toomaj Salehi held up at protest in Paris, France

Iran overturns death penalty for rapper Toomaj Salehi

Toomaj Salehi was jailed after supporting widespread protests sparked by the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.

A woman sits in a park, looking down sadly

A woman sits in a park, looking down sadly

Iran: Mother of fatally injured teen refuses to be silenced

Abolfazl Amir-Ataei was just 16 when he sustained a severe head wound from a tear gas canister at a protest.

Zibakalam gestures with his left hand towards the camera during an interview in 2017

Zibakalam gestures with his left hand towards the camera during an interview in 2017

Iran jails regime critic Sadegh Zibakalam

Iranian Sadegh Zibakalam, recipient of DW's 2018 Freedom of Speech Award, has been jailed on "propaganda" charges.

A group of people in front of a shop window

A group of people in front of a shop window

Iran intensifies violent crackdown on women

Women who refuse to wear headscarves are reporting more violent harassment and arrests by Iran's "morality police."

Toomaj Salehi holds flowers

Toomaj Salehi holds flowers

Iran: Rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to death, says lawyer

Popular rapper Toomaj Salehi had written songs in support of the protest movement in Iran.

A group of protesters at night shrouded in tear gas smoke in Iran's Mahabad city in West Azerbaijan, seen in 2022

A group of protesters at night shrouded in tear gas smoke in Iran's Mahabad city in West Azerbaijan, seen in 2022

Iran: UN exposes 'crimes' committed against protesters

A UN fact-finding mission in Iran has documented grevious human rights violations during a crackdown on protesters.

Kowsar Eftekhari - Iranische Demonstrantin "Frau, Leben, Freiheit"

Kowsar Eftekhari - Iranische Demonstrantin "Frau, Leben, Freiheit"

'I will be living proof of the violent oppression in Iran'

After Kowsar Eftekhari was blinded during a protest in Iran and an arrest warrant was issued, she fled the country.

Demonstrators wave flags in Hamburg, Germany, decrying the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in Iran

Demonstrators wave flags in Hamburg, Germany, decrying the death of Jina Mahsa Amini in Iran

UN report: Iran to blame for 'violence' behind Amini death

Jina Mahsa Amini's death in police custody prompted widespread protests and a violent crackdown in the Islamic republic.

Women in Tehran walk down the street without a headscarf

Women in Tehran walk down the street without a headscarf

Iran's women vow resistance against 'misogynistic' regime

In Iran, women face daily harassment, but continue demanding their right to expression and self-determination.

Smoke swirls around three women in gas masks protesting the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran

Smoke swirls around three women in gas masks protesting the poisoning of schoolgirls in Iran

What's behind Iran's 'woman, life, freedom' protests?

The death of a young Iranian woman, Jina Mahsa Amini, in police custody in 2022 sparked an unprecedented revolt.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei votes

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei votes

Iran elections: Low turnout in parliamentary vote

Iran's parliamentary elections saw low voter turnout as candidates competed for a seat in the 290-member parliament.

A noose is seen at a rally against the executions of protesters

A noose is seen at a rally against the executions of protesters

Call for solidarity after Iran sees rise in executions

The UN deputy high commissioner for human rights is flying to Tehran to look into a recent spate of executions.

Narges Mohammadi, Iranian political activist, winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, Farsi Editorial Rights.

Narges Mohammadi, Iranian political activist, winner of the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, Farsi Editorial Rights.

Iran extends Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi prison sentence

Mohammadi was sentenced to over a year in prison for allegedly spreading propaganda against the Islamic republic.

This picture taken and released by the Sharq News Online on January 14, 2024, shows Iranian journalists Niloufar Hamedi (R) and Elaheh Mohammadi (L) flashing the sign of victory after they were released from Evin prison on bail in Tehran.

This picture taken and released by the Sharq News Online on January 14, 2024, shows Iranian journalists Niloufar Hamedi (R) and Elaheh Mohammadi (L) flashing the sign of victory after they were released from Evin prison on bail in Tehran.

Iran releases 2 reporters jailed for Amini death coverage

Two imprisoned journalists who were among the first to cover Mahsa Amini's death were freed on bail.

A female member of the Iranian police special force monitors an area, with only her eyes visible

A female member of the Iranian police special force monitors an area, with only her eyes visible

Emboldened Iran silences critics as world looks elsewhere

In the shadow of the Israel-Gaza war, Iran's rulers are settling scores with internal critics.

Iranian women hold up a flag supporting their football team

Iranian women hold up a flag supporting their football team

Iran: Women attend Tehran derby, but equality fight goes on

FIFA hailed the attendance of women at the recent Tehran derby as "progress," a term which a key activist has rejected

Demonstrators hold placards outside the Iranian Embassy in London

Demonstrators hold placards outside the Iranian Embassy in London

EU honors Iran protest icon Amini with Sakharov Prize

The European Parliament has given its Sakharov Prize to the late Iranian protest figure Jina Mahsa Amini.

An Iranian women holds up her arm at a 2022 protest

An Iranian women holds up her arm at a 2022 protest

What does Mohammadi's Nobel Peace Prize mean?

Narges Mohammadi's Nobel Peace Prize marks a milestone in a decades-long women's rights movement.

Two women shopping in Tehran

Two women shopping in Tehran

Iran's women defend themselves against state violence

Iran's system is being challenged by a women's rights movement spurred by resistance to wearing headscarves.

Iranians in Norwaz protest against the arrest of Salehi in October 2022

Iranians in Norwaz protest against the arrest of Salehi in October 2022

Jailed Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi released on bail

Salehi was imprisoned for his support for the anti-government protests following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.

Iran Narges Mohammadi in Teheran

Iran Narges Mohammadi in Teheran

Iran: Fears for jailed Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi

2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi has been allowed to see a doctor. Her husband still fears for her life.

A women hold up her hand, painted in red with the inscription "freedom"

A women hold up her hand, painted in red with the inscription "freedom"

Iran: No headscarf, no job for protesting actresses

Iranian actresses who defy the so-called morality police and go out without a headscarf have been banned from working.

A photo of Armita Geravand, who allegedly died after a suspicious incident involving Iran's morality police on Tehran's metro

A photo of Armita Geravand, who allegedly died after a suspicious incident involving Iran's morality police on Tehran's metro

Iran: Teen dies after alleged brush with morality police

Armita Geravand's passing comes a year after mass protests over the death of another woman while in police custody.

Two smiling women standing close together in a room. They are both wearing headscarves that are draped loosely over their hair.

Two smiling women standing close together in a room. They are both wearing headscarves that are draped loosely over their hair.

Iran regime intimidates journalists with long prison terms

Two award-winning journalists who reported on the death of Jina Mahsa Amini have been sentenced to long prison terms.

A selfie taken by Armita Geravand without a headscarf

A selfie taken by Armita Geravand without a headscarf

Iran: Teen Armita Geravand 'brain dead' after hijab incident

Armita Geravand has been in a coma since her encounter with Iran's "morality police" on the Tehran subway.

Protesters gather in London to protest against the Iranian regime following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini

Protesters gather in London to protest against the Iranian regime following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini

Amini wins Sakharov Prize: Will it help Iranian women?

The award brings hope to women in Iran. Whether it will reinvigorate the cause remains to be seen.

Supporters of Iran's women's movement hold a banner of Jina Mahsa Amini in Berlin

Supporters of Iran's women's movement hold a banner of Jina Mahsa Amini in Berlin

Jina Mahsa Amini wins EU's Sakharov Prize

Amini's death in custody after her arrest by Iran's morality police sparked mass protests.

Narges Mohammadi with the cover of a book with title, 'White Torture,' in Persian.

Narges Mohammadi with the cover of a book with title, 'White Torture,' in Persian.

Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi: Documenting Iran's torture

The work of Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi sheds light on human rights abuses suffered by Iran's political prisoners.

A CCTV image of Tehran's metro

A CCTV image of Tehran's metro

Iran 'morality police' under scrutiny after girl put in coma

Activists say a 16-year-old girl is in a coma at a Tehran military hospital after being beaten on a subway.

Protesters hold a giant banner bearing the names of people who were killed in the passing year including this of Jina Mahsa Amini

Protesters hold a giant banner bearing the names of people who were killed in the passing year including this of Jina Mahsa Amini

Iran: Schoolgirl reportedly in coma after security assault

The 16-year-old girl was assaulted by the morality police on Iran's underground, a rights group said.

Protesters hold placards and flags during a rally marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in detention in Iran on the steps of Parliament in Melbourne on September 16, 2023.

Protesters hold placards and flags during a rally marking the one-year anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in detention in Iran on the steps of Parliament in Melbourne on September 16, 2023.

Amini family barred from marking anniversary — rights groups

Iranian authorities prevented Amini's family from commemorating the first anniversary of her death in police custody.

A woman holds her arm up in protest as a fire burns on a road

A woman holds her arm up in protest as a fire burns on a road

Berlin vows support for Iranian people on Amini anniversary

One year after Amini's death, Germany's foreign minister says Berlin won't "leave the people of Iran on their own."

Protesters in London hold up a sign with photo of Jina Mahsa Amini and the words "Say her name"

Protesters in London hold up a sign with photo of Jina Mahsa Amini and the words "Say her name"

Iran: Why women keep on fighting for freedom

A feminist revolution is underway in Iran. A year after it began, women are more determined than ever.

Rada Fatehi (right) stands with her mother who is holding a photograph of her deceased son. In the background, photographs of Iranians who have passed away in police custody can be seen.

Rada Fatehi (right) stands with her mother who is holding a photograph of her deceased son. In the background, photographs of Iranians who have passed away in police custody can be seen.

Iran: Family torn apart by Iranian security forces

Ramin Fatehi's family allege he was tortured to death in Iran for protesting following the death of Jina Mahsa Amini.

A woman stands atop a car in front in Iran

A woman stands atop a car in front in Iran

Has Iran changed 1 year after the death of Jina Mahsa Amini?

A year after the death of a young woman in police custody sparked nationwide protests, Iranian women remain defiant.

Tara Ghassemieh dancing as an hommage to Jina Mahsa Amini

Tara Ghassemieh dancing as an hommage to Jina Mahsa Amini

Iranian-American dancer honors Amini with ballet

Ballet dancer Tara Ghassemieh's performance, "The White Feather," is a homage to the fight for women's rights in Iran.

A noose and photos of incarcerated protesters

A noose and photos of incarcerated protesters

Iran protesters targeted 1 year after Amini death

Bereaved families of killed activists are under pressure as authorities crack down on any signs of protest.

Peshmerga forces look at IS positions in Iraq from truck mounted with automatic weapon

Peshmerga forces look at IS positions in Iraq from truck mounted with automatic weapon

Iran, Iraq agree to disarm Kurdish militants — Tehran

Iran's foreign ministry says Iraq has agreed to disarm and relocated exiled Iranian Kurdish groups in northern Iraq.