Irony in Tehran: Iran’s Ex-Hijab Enforcer Faces 100 Lashes for Same-Sex Scandal
In a twist that underscores the Islamic Republic’s rigid moral code, a former top official notorious for enforcing Iran’s mandatory hijab laws has been sentenced to 100 lashes and exile. The punishment stems from a leaked video allegedly showing him in a same-sex encounter, highlighting the regime’s intolerance for the very vices it polices.
The Verdict: From Enforcer to Punished
Reza Seghati, once the head of the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance in Gilan province, received his sentence from an Iranian court on September 17, 2025. The 100 lashes and one-year exile term followed a scandal that erupted from a leaked intimate video involving Seghati and another man.
The other individual in the video faces 100 lashes and a two-year exile. Iran’s penal code mandates flogging for same-sex relations, with death possible for repeat or severe offenses under Sharia law. Seghati escaped execution due to a legal technicality, but the ruling ended his career and ignited public debate.
Seghati’s downfall traces to the video’s leak, which authorities tied to a blackmail network run by the son of a senior Gilan official. That figure drew a 10-year prison term and exile for using recordings to target rivals.
Background: A Zealous Guardian of Chastity
Seghati built his reputation as a fierce advocate for Iran’s “chastity and hijab” laws, which mandate veiling for women and strict modesty codes. These rules, intensified by 2023 legislation, empower morality police to patrol streets, fine violators, and even seize vehicles.
His role involved cracking down on non-compliance, often targeting women in a system critics call oppressive. The irony? Seghati now faces the regime’s corporal punishments for alleged homosexuality, a crime punishable under the same Islamic framework he upheld.
This case echoes broader LGBTQ+ persecution in Iran, where same-sex acts can lead to execution. Human rights groups report hundreds of arrests annually, with flogging as a common penalty. Seghati’s ouster reflects how scandals can topple even loyalists in Tehran’s opaque power structure.
Reactions: Outrage, Schadenfreude, and Human Rights Alarms
Public response on social media blends shock and sarcasm. One X user highlighted the “hypocrisy of power,” sharing news of Seghati’s sentence with a link to the story. Iranian exiles and activists decried the verdict as barbaric, with Amnesty International calling it a “chilling reminder” of Iran’s dual standards on morality.
Domestic voices, per reports from Ensaf News, view it as elite infighting rather than justice. Rights advocates like those at Human Rights Watch slammed the lashes as “torture,” urging international pressure. On X, threads amplify calls to spotlight Iran’s hijab enforcement amid this scandal, tying it to the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests.
Experts note the case exposes regime fractures: Enforcers like Seghati symbolize control, yet personal failings invite swift retribution.
Global Ripples: U.S. Views on Iran’s Human Rights Abuses
For Americans, this story fuels ongoing concerns over Iran’s repressive policies, influencing U.S. foreign aid debates and sanctions. It spotlights LGBTQ+ rights, resonating with domestic advocacy groups pushing for global solidarity.
Politically, it bolsters arguments for isolating Tehran, amid nuclear tensions and support for proxies like Hamas. Economically, it underscores risks in dealings with Iran, from oil markets to tech sanctions. Culturally, it highlights contrasts with U.S. freedoms, sparking discussions on women’s rights and queer safety in a post-Roe era.
Outlook: More Scandals or Systemic Change?
Seghati’s sentencing may deter public hypocrisy but won’t reform Iran’s draconian laws. As exiles amplify the story abroad, pressure mounts for accountability. Yet in Tehran, the morality police persist, enforcing hijabs while scandals simmer. This case could inspire quiet dissent, but real change demands broader uprising.