Bobby Ghosh, Columnist

Iran’s Protesters Challenge the Regime’s Legitimacy

Hoary tales of revolution and war don’t resonate with Gen Z.

October 20, 2022 at 5:00 AM UTC

Bobby Ghosh is a senior editor in the digital weekend team. Previously, he was a columnist at Bloomberg Opinion, where he wrote mostly about international affairs and culture.

Elnaz Rekabi competing without a hijab in South Korea — Elnaz Rekabi competing without a hijab in South Korea
Source: AFP/Getty Images

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One of the reasons Iran’s anti-government protests have persisted is the emergence of new inspirational figures every few days. The latest is Elnaz Rekabi, a sport climber who defied the Islamic Regime’s strict dress code for women by competing in an international tournament in South Korea last week without wearing a head scarf.

Rekabi vanished from view after her performance and only emerged after apologizing on Instagram for baring her head. Reports suggest her statement was coerced by officials from the Iranian embassy in Seoul, who then hustled her into a flight back home.