Iranian Government not put ‘pressure’ on women: Zarif to CNN
Zarif made the comment on Wednesday as he sat down with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
“If you go to the streets of Tehran, you will find women not covering their hair. It’s against the law, but the government has decided not to put women under pressure,” the former foreign minister said.
The decision was an election promise made by President Masoud Pezeshkian, which has now been fulfilled, the VP said.
Zarif explained that the president decided not to implement a law meant to put penalties on women refusing to cover their hair in public, a decision which he said was taken with the consent of the Iranian leadership, including the head of Parliament, the head of the Judiciary and the National Security Council.
Zarif also said that the move not to put women under pressure “is not enough”, but is “a step in the right direction.”
In September 2022, protests broke out in Iran over the death in police custody of young woman Mahsa Amini over her alleged loose hijab. The protests then morphed into riots instigated by foreign-backed elements.
Pezeshkian ran for presidency on a platform of social and economic reforms in the country, as well as a more constructive engagement with the world.
Source: Marzieh Rahmani
Iran’s Zairf, Qatar FM discuss regional developments
The meeting took place on Wednesday on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos, Switzerland, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The two officials addressed various regional developments, particularly in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, along with other topics of mutual interest, according to the ministry. They also discussed ways to enhance Tehran-Doha relations.
Zarif expressed appreciation for Qatar’s role in bringing about a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and the exchange of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners.
Qatar, alongside the US and Egypt, mediated the Gaza ceasefire deal announced on January 15, which took effect four days later. The three-phase ceasefire ended over 15 months of brutal Israeli attacks on Gaza and allowed humanitarian aid to enter the besieged territory.
Zarif arrived in Davos on Tuesday and has since met with several world leaders, including the Iraqi prime minister, the Serbian president, and the Norwegian foreign minister, among others.
Source: Marzieh Rahmani