Two Iranian marathon directors arrested for disobeying hijab rules
The Kish Island Marathon had listed hijabs as optional for female participants
Two marathon race directors in Iran could see jail time after allowing thousands of women to compete in the 2025 Kish Island Marathon without wearing hijabs.
On Friday, the two organizers were taken into custody after videos circulated online showing unveiled women, many dressed in red T-shirts, racing without head coverings. More than 2,000 women participated in last weekend’s event on Kish Island, located off Iran’s southern coast.
The Kish Island Marathon had reportedly listed hijabs as optional for all female participants.
Iran’s Athletics Federation tried to stop the marathon because women refused to wear hijab, and failed.
5,000 runners on Kish Island said “No” to forced veiling.
To Western media: this isn’t reform.
Khamenei just ordered a harsher crackdown, yet women keep resisting.
As one woman… pic.twitter.com/2cN531edrg— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 5, 2025
According to reports, the race directors were arrested on a warrant issued by the judicial branch in Kish for charges related to violating public decency. The Athletic Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (AAIRI) had reportedly opposed the event in advance, stating that allowing women to run without mandatory head coverings is a violation of Iran’s Islamic Penal Code.
Depending on whether authorities deem the organizers’ actions to have been organized or intentional, both individuals could face jail sentences. Many social media users praised the marathon videos as a symbol of social change, pushing back against government restrictions on how women are permitted to dress. Iranian women have been legally required to wear the hijab in public since the early ’80s.
IRAN IN TURMOIL: Hundreds of women defy hijab law running FREE without headscarves in Kish Island marathon!
Two organizers were arrested.
Criminal case for “violations”
Judiciary: “A criminal case has been filed…” https://t.co/rU7iZa23pW pic.twitter.com/DzYklxtiUI
— Breaking News (@TheNewsTrending) December 7, 2025
The hijab remains at the centre of one of Iran’s most controversial debates. The enforcement of mandatory dress laws is constantly challenged by younger generations as the fight for women’s rights and freedom across the Islamic nation continues to grow.
