The dismissal follows a wave of criticism from Iranian state media directed at Mousavi after his interview with Baku TV’s female presenter Sevinc Gülmammadova, who was not wearing a hijab, an act that stirred significant controversy.
Mousavi, a seasoned diplomat who served as the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs between 2019 and 2020 under Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, was appointed as Iran’s ambassador to Azerbaijan in August 2020. The interview that led to his ousting was rapidly shared on social media, inciting backlash from regime supporters who found Gülmammadova’s attire offensive and unbecoming of an interview conducted within the Iranian embassy in Baku—a territory considered Iran’s under international law. Critics argued that the interview disregarded Iran’s strict hijab regulations.
Tasnim news agency, reflecting on the incident, emphasized that as the interview took place on what is considered Iranian soil, it breached the Islamic Republic’s principles, suggesting that Mousavi’s participation implied a disregard for these rules. The agency went so far as to suggest Mousavi should resign to preserve “Iran’s honor”. This incident underscores the Iranian regime’s rigorous enforcement of hijab laws, which have led to severe consequences for Iranian women and girls not adhering to the dress code.
Interestingly, Gülmammadova has interviewed several foreign officials without wearing a hijab, including ambassadors from the UAE and Pakistan, without encountering criticism for her attire. However, the interview with Mousavi, conducted under the gaze of portraits of Iran’s supreme leaders and the late military commander Qasem Soleimani, was deemed by some media outlets like BultanNews—a platform aligned with regime hardliners—as a violation of diplomatic protocols and a disrespect to Iranian officials.
This event has again spotlighted the Iranian regime’s strict hijab laws and their impact, not only within Iran but also in how its diplomats engage internationally. The case of Armita Geravand, a 16-year-old girl who died after a violent encounter with Iran’s hijab enforcers, serves as a tragic reminder of the severe implications of these policies.
