Iranian Official Calls for Zarif’s Arrest Over Remarks on Hijab Laws

An Iranian official has called for the immediate arrest and interrogation of Vice President Mohammad Javad Zarif following his comments at the Davos Economic Forum.

Ruhollah Momenasab, the secretary of Tehran's Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Headquarters, made the demand after Zarif spoke to Fareed Zakaria in Davos.

Zarif told Zakaria that more women in Tehran are increasingly choosing not to cover their hair and that the government has decided not to enforce strict hijab laws.

"If you go to the streets of Tehran, you will find women not covering their hair. It's against the law, but the government has decided not to put women under pressure," Zarif said.

Momenasab said, "Anti-coup forces must arrest Zarif" upon his return to Iran, warning of potential "complex and dangerous crises" if action is not taken.

Student Basij offices at Tehran universities have also condemned Zarif's remarks made during the international forum.