Tehran police chief warns Iranian women over dress code

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Tehran (dpa) - Tehran's police chief on Tuesday warned women in Iran to observe the Islamic dress code or face consequences.

General Morteza Talaei told Fars news agency that within the next few days some 50 squads, including female officers, will start checking dress codes in Tehran.

All women in Iran, including foreigners, are expected to respect the Islamic dress code of contour-hiding gowns or long coats, and scarves hiding the hair.

Many women in Tehran and other big cities have been ignoring strict observation of the rules.

The police chief warned that the squads would confront all women wearing Bermuda-style pants, tight coats, loose scarves and no socks.

Talaei also warned women against walking with pets on streets and in parks. And he said taxi services transporting female customers who were "not decently dressed" would be punished.

The general also warned textile importers and boutique owners to have a clear specification of their goods before distribution and sale, or also face consequences.

Talaei further said that "sound pollution" - meaning youngsters listening to loud Iranian pop or Western music in their cars - would be decisively confronted by the squads.

Strict observation of women's dress code has always been a controversial issue in Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution. All plans by the administration to force women fully to respect the code having so far turned out to be futile.

During the eight-year presidency of reformist Mohammad Khatami the issue was ignored, with the effect of encouraging women to follow new and far more daring fashion styles.

Immediately after last June's victory of ultra-conservative Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in presidential elections, women feared a more restrictive dressing code.

Women form an influential part of the electorate, and any crackdown could lead to a backlash for Ahmadinejad's Abadgaran (Development) party - currently dominating in both executive and legislative powers - in the upcoming city council, parliamentary and eventually presidential elections.