Icons of defiance: the faces of Iran’s Woman, Life, Freedom movement

“No rational and patriotic Iranian would ever believe the claim of friendship and sympathy by a regime with a long history of meddling in Iran’s affairs and committing crimes against Iranians,” the foreign ministry said in its statement.

It cited grievances ranging from a CIA-orchestrated 1953 coup and US support for Saddam Hussein during the 1980–1988 war to the downing of an Iranian passenger jet in 1988, years of sanctions and joining Israel in attacks on nuclear sites in June.

Tehran also argued that the US, as Israel’s main supporter and a country it described as steeped in racism, has “no credibility to speak on human rights.” It vowed that Iranians “will never forget or forgive” America’s actions.

Mahsa "Jina" Amini, 22, died in morality police custody on September 16 2022, igniting nationwide protests under the slogan “Woman, Life Freedom” that remain a rallying point for calls for systemic change in Iran.

In its message on the eve of the anniversary, the US State Department said it “stands with the people of Iran in their calls for dignity and a better life,” adding, “Mahsa’s name will never be forgotten” and accusing Tehran’s leaders of “crimes against humanity.”

The statement charged that Iran’s rulers had squandered the nation’s wealth on exporting ideology abroad while leaving citizens to endure “shortages of water and electricity, poverty, and crumbling infrastructure.”

"The Iranian regime must focus on addressing the needs of its people instead of engaging in destructive war rhetoric," the State Department said in a post on its Persian-language account on X.

"After years of economic hardship and international isolation, the people of Iran deserve peace and prosperity."

Iranian officials, especially hardliners and military leaders, have repeatedly mooted striking Israel and the United States if attacked again following their surprise military campaign in June. Officials have also issued menacing rhetoric to dissidents abroad.

Last month, Iran's top security official Ali Larijani said the country must remain prepared for a fresh round of conflict as the war with Israel is not over despite a US-brokered ceasefire that put an end to a 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June.

The Islamic Republic needs to "create capacities so that the enemy will not be tempted to take action again," Larijani said in an interview with the Supreme Leader's official website.

His remarks were the latest in a series of sharp comments from leaders on both sides, with Israel’s army chief vowing readiness for further strikes and Iran’s General Staff warning of “a far stronger response” to any future attacks by the United States or Israel.

Meanwhile Israeli officials have frequently asserted that their military quarrel with Iran is not yet finished and continue to cite Iran as an alleged existential threat.

Iran’s navy test-fired a range of cruise missiles during large-scale drills last month, and the defense ministry warning of stronger response in any new war with Israel.

"Any miscalculation in the region will be met with a very strong response from Iran’s powerful armed forces,” it said in a statement.

"Senior officials of the regime have chosen to distract from internal challenges by instilling fear of external threats," the State Department said in its post.

"Iran’s leadership should instead prioritize actions that restore economic stability, improve living conditions, and rebuild trust with both its citizens and the international community."

Iran’s currency, the rial, now trades at nearly one million to the dollar, having lost almost a third of its value since Donald Trump won the US presidential election last November.

Iran faces one of the highest inflation rates in the region. According to the International Monetary Fund's estimates, the annual inflation rate has averaged above 42% since 2020, sending costs of living soaring.

Sanctions, corruption and economic mismanagement have contributed to widespread economic hardship and market instability as Iran's currency the rial has lost over 90% of its value since US sanctions were reimposed in 2018.

A poll by Iran's leading economic newspaper Donya-ye Eqtesad last month reported that just under 90% of Iranians described their level of satisfaction with government economic policies as low or very low.

The Islamic Republic survived the Woman, Life, Freedom protests three years ago, but Iranian women’s defiance keeps reshaping society and their lives in irreversible ways.

After the crackdown, hardliners introduced new “hijab enforcement” bills and deployed surveillance cameras to identify unveiled women.

The laws remain on the books, but the persistent defiance of women—and men supporting them—has rendered them largely unenforceable.

“Looking back to three years ago, when the government seemed in total control, I wonder at the courage of those who left home to protest knowing they could be shot, arrested, blinded, or confined to a wheelchair for life,” said Shina, a 34-year-old artist in Tehran.

Read the full story

After the crackdown, hardliners introduced new “hijab enforcement” bills and deployed surveillance cameras to identify unveiled women.

The laws remain on the books, but the persistent defiance of women—and men supporting them—has rendered them largely unenforceable.

“Looking back to three years ago, when the government seemed in total control, I wonder at the courage of those who left home to protest knowing they could be shot, arrested, blinded, or confined to a wheelchair for life,” said Shina, a 34-year-old artist in Tehran.

Recalling the 2022–2023 protests and the extraordinary violence against demonstrators, she described the cost as heavy.

“People eventually returned to their homes, but no one doubts that the change that followed was worth it. Those who protested will protest again, and many who stayed home will go out if women's achievements are in danger,” she said.

Walking through even conservative cities such as Qom and Mashhad, as witness accounts and an abundance of videos on social media attest, the rules for women's appearance have shifted drastically since Mahsa Amini died in morality police custody in 2022.

The nationwide protests which followed were scotched with deadly force.

Her supposed offense was strands of hair showing beneath her headscarf, though she wore a modest black coat and trousers.

At the time, morality police patrols were a daily fixture, stationed at squares, metro stops and shopping malls, stopping and arresting thousands of women or impounding their cars.

Today, unveiled women are a pervasive sight in shops, banks, restaurants and metro cars.

'No going back'

On top of the gains, new boundaries are being tested daily by women.

“There is no going back for women. The genie is out of the bottle and can’t be pushed back into it,” said Taha, a 55-year-old from Tehran, and pointed to shifts far beyond clothing.

“For decades, riding motorbikes was taboo. Just look at how many women now ride in defiance of authorities who refuse them licenses because of gender. Like those who defied the hijab, they are multiplying by the day and will eventually force the government to give in,” he said.

Public singing and dancing—once unimaginable—are now similarly more visible, especially among young people. Women post videos of their performances on social media. Each act chips away at decades of enforced control, much like posting unveiled photos once did.

Women are not alone

Many Iranian men openly support women’s demand for control over their appearance and lives.

“My daughter dreams of becoming a gymnast or ballerina, performing for the public and taking part in international competitions. Other young girls have similar aspirations," said Alireza, father of a teenage boy and girl.

"The women of my generation were forced into submission and their dreams were lost, but the young people of today will not give in; they know that they still have a long way to go and need our support."

Taha said male solidarity with women was essential for progress.

“Seeing women breaking out of boundaries is extraordinary and inspiring. We must support them in whatever way we can so our daughters, wives, and friends can't be forced back into defined roles,” he added.

"What Iranian women have achieved, through years of perseverance and sacrifice, has been a lesson to all.”

Marking the third anniversary of the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, HRW said Iran had ignored findings by a UN fact-finding mission that concluded last year’s crackdown amounted to crimes against humanity, including murder, torture and sexual violence.

“The victims and their families who suffered brutal violence at the hands of Iranian authorities have no prospects for justice, as those who should deliver redress are themselves implicated in violations and crimes,” said Bahar Saba, HRW’s senior Iran researcher. “Countries that can prosecute such cases should seek every opportunity to do so.”

HRW said Iranian courts have executed at least a dozen men linked to the protests after unfair trials, most recently Mehran Bahramian on September 6, following allegations of torture to extract confessions.

It added that compulsory hijab rules -- which led to Amini’s death -- remain in force and are enforced with measures including arbitrary arrests, denial of services, vehicle confiscations and surveillance technologies.

The group said many survivors of the crackdown have fled abroad, often facing medical complications, psychological trauma and harassment of relatives still in Iran. Survivors interviewed by HRW vowed to continue seeking justice, despite threats.

HRW urged foreign governments to use universal jurisdiction to pursue cases against Iranian officials and to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to victims stranded in neighboring states.