Iranians donned costumes and celebrated Halloween over the past week in acts of cultural defiance against the Islamic Republic’s strict social and religious regulations, according to Iranian media reports and social media videos. Despite warnings and restrictions imposed by the authorities, many young people took part in festivities, some of which ended in confrontations with security forces.

In Tehran, security personnel and plainclothes officers reportedly dispersed groups gathered to mark the occasion. Witnesses told local outlets that celebrations in central Tehran were broken up on Friday, with several participants beaten and detained. Near Tehran’s Artists Park, members of the Basij militia confronted young people wearing makeup and costumes, forcing families to leave the area amid calls to “Disperse!” Similar scenes of enforcement unfolded as authorities sought to prevent what they view as violations of Islamic codes.

Footage circulated online showed several women appearing in public without adhering to the country’s mandatory hijab laws, with some exposing their hair and parts of their legs. These incidents occurred against the backdrop of a renewed government crackdown on dress code violations and efforts to reinstate morality police patrols around the country.

Responding to the evolving security measures, the Iranian legal advocacy network Dadbaan reported that new restrictions had led to the cancellation of several Halloween events in cities including Isfahan. Some cultural venues, such as Isal Café and the Madam and Monsieur Mansion, cited adherence to Islamic law and local standards as reasons for halting planned festivities. Additionally, the Cultural Heritage Department in Aran va Bidgol banned Halloween celebrations to safeguard “Islamic and Iranian values.” Dadbaan pointed out that, despite these actions, no Iranian law explicitly forbids the sale of Halloween-related goods or the use of themed decorations in public venues.

The Islamic Republic has long taken a hard line toward gothic and alternative subcultures, often branding their symbols and practices as “satanic.” Prior to the current atmosphere of heightened repression following recent conflicts and the government’s violent response to widespread protests in January, shops selling clothing with nonconforming logos had already faced threats of closure.

Experts see the growth of Halloween celebrations this year as a form of cultural protest. Beni Sabti, an Iran analyst at the Institute for National Security Studies, observed that the holiday’s increasing visibility and the more daring costumes—including gothic and masked attire—reflects individual acts of resistance. “Listening to music, playing music in the streets, going without hijab, all these clips that you see, it’s kind of a protest,” Sabti noted. He added that many participants may be uncertain whether they desire mass protests, but nonetheless express dissent through their personal choices during these events.

Meanwhile, some Western commentators have pointed to the Halloween festivities as evidence of a loosening of regime control, a perspective that Iranian participants have rejected. Iranian-American actress and writer Nazanin Nour emphasized online that such celebrations occur despite ongoing repression, cautioning against interpretations that suggest the government is relaxing its grip. She stressed that pushing social boundaries remains a risky act under a system where such constraints are codified into law.