A shop owner in Iran has been sentenced to two years in prison after publishing photos without a hijab, or head scarf, the U.S.-based human rights network HRANA said on January 5.
Several suspects have been detained in Iran in connection with the Islamic State-claimed deadly suicide bombings this week that killed at least 84 people during commemorations for a former Iranian commander.
As the Iranian authorities vow a harsh response in revenge for the deadliest attack in Iran since the Islamic Revolution, many Iranians are questioning whether Tehran's focus on policing hijab compliance and the military involvement abroad have left citizens exposed to dangers at home.
An aide to Iran's president has blamed Israel and the United States for the explosions that killed at least 84 people on January 3 during commemorations for a former Iranian commander slain in a U.S. airstrike in 2020. The U.S. State Department has said it was not involved in the incident.
The Wall Street Journal on January 4 quoted unnamed U.S. officials as saying Russia plans to purchase short-range ballistic missiles from Iran and is already receiving dozens of ballistic missiles and launchers from North Korea.