Women Without Hijab: The Propaganda Paradox of Daily Life in Tehran During War
The Propaganda Paradox Works in Every Direction
It is important not to treat propaganda as something produced only by governments.
Every political actor can engage in selective storytelling.
A government may highlight patriotic crowds while ignoring dissent.
An opposition movement may highlight protesters while ignoring supporters of the government.
International media may prioritize dramatic images because they attract attention.
Social-media users may share the most emotionally powerful photographs.
The result is a fragmented information environment.
Some of these descriptions can be true at the same time.
That is the essential lesson of the propaganda paradox.
Women Without Hijab Are Not a Monolithic Group
One of the biggest mistakes in discussions about Iranian women without hijab is treating them as one political category.
Iranian women have different political views.
They have different religious beliefs.
They come from different economic classes.
They live in different regions.
They have different educational backgrounds.
They belong to different generations.
Some support the Islamic Republic.
Some oppose it.
Some are politically indifferent.
Some are religious but oppose compulsory hijab.
Some are secular.
Some support hijab voluntarily.
Some oppose mandatory enforcement but personally choose to wear it.
Therefore, a woman’s clothing cannot reliably determine her political ideology.
A head covering can be religious.
September 14, 2026 | 6:05 pm
