Iran Supreme Leader's Surprising Post on Women Amid Protests

Amid ongoing protests against hijab restrictions in Iran, the country's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has stirred controversy with a recent tweet. While suppression of women continues in the country, Khamenei posted on social media, comparing women to delicate flowers that require gentle care.

Khamenei emphasized that women should not be treated as laborers and advised that they be looked after carefully and tenderly, much like how one would care for flowers to preserve their freshness and fragrance. He highlighted the distinct roles of men and women in the family, stating that while women are responsible for raising children, men are tasked with earning for the family's needs. He stressed that it is unfair to judge men and women based on these roles, asserting that no one is superior or inferior within the family.

For several months, women in Iran have been protesting against restrictions and suppression, often opposing moral policing and facing arrests for not wearing the hijab in public. These protests intensified following the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, who was arrested and allegedly tortured by moral police for not wearing a hijab, leading to her death in custody.