Iranian media reported on Saturday that two young women were arrested in Tehran after a video surfaced showing them dancing to celebrate the upcoming Persian New Year.
The viral clip depicted the women dancing near Tajrish square, a popular gathering spot for youth in the northern part of the Iranian capital.
According to Tasnim news agency, the Tehran prosecutor ordered the arrest of the women for breaking social norms by dancing in public. The women were dressed as Hadji Farouz, a red-clad folklore character traditionally associated with announcing the arrival of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which begins on March 20.
Iranian law, based on Islamic principles, prohibits mixed dancing and women being alone in public spaces.
The incident is part of a larger trend of videos showing women dancing in public places circulating on social media, including within the metro system. This surge in such videos comes after a wave of protests swept Iran in late 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody.
Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman, was arrested by morality police in Tehran for not adhering to the strict dress code mandated in the Islamic republic. Her death sparked outrage and renewed discussions about social norms and government policies in Iran.
