Videos circulating online between 3:38 PM and 6:38 PM UTC on October 19th, 2025, show the lavish wedding of the daughter of Ali Shamkhani, a top Islamic Republic official, fueling widespread anger among Iranians. The opulent celebration, featuring a strapless dress and a palace-like venue, stands in stark contrast to the government's strict enforcement of "Islamic values," which includes severe penalties for women displaying their hair and economic struggles preventing young people from marrying. The outrage, amplified on social media platforms, highlights a perceived hypocrisy within the regime. Activists pointed out that while authorities, including an 80,000-strong morality police, enforce modesty with force, officials' families engage in luxury. The situation has drawn comparisons to "The Handmaid's Tale," with one social media user stating the novel is "not a fiction for us Iranian women. It’s a reality." This period of heightened public discontent follows the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in morality police custody in September 2022. Her death, reportedly linked to her alleged violation of hijab rules, ignited significant protests across Iran and internationally. The recent wedding video has reignited calls to oppose compulsory hijab laws and the morality police.
