What does Gasht-e Ershad mean?
The Persian name translates as Guidance Patrol. Foreign media call it the “morality police”. It is a unit of FARAJA, Iran's national police, not of the IRGC — though the Basij and volunteer “hijab enforcers” work in parallel with it.
How do the patrols work?
Teams of two to four officers, usually with one woman in a chador, operate from white-and-green vans at metro entrances, parks, malls and university gates. Women judged non-compliant are warned, photographed, and frequently taken to a detention centre for a “re-education” briefing, a fine, or referral to court. Since 2024 the patrols are backed by camera surveillance, SMS warnings, vehicle impoundment and the sealing of businesses.
Who has died after being detained?
| Name | Age | Date | What happened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mahsa (Jina) Amini | 22 | 13–16 Sept 2022 | Detained at Haqqani metro; collapsed in custody; died three days later. The UN Fact-Finding Mission attributed her death to physical violence by state agents. |
| Armita Geravand | 16 | 1–28 Oct 2023 | Collapsed on the Tehran metro after an encounter with hijab enforcers; died four weeks later. |
| Arezou Badri | 31 | 22 July 2024 | Shot by police during the Noor Plan after her car was flagged for a hijab violation; left paralysed. |
Was Gasht-e Ershad abolished?
No. In December 2022 the prosecutor-general remarked that the patrol had been “shut down”. The Interior Ministry never confirmed it, no decree was published, and patrols were filmed again within weeks. The claim circulated mainly in foreign coverage.
What law is being enforced?
Compulsory veiling was imposed by decree in March 1979 and written into the penal code in 1983. Later hijab and chastity legislation extended penalties to fines, travel and banking restrictions, and business closures. Our hijab law page sets out the texts and the penalties in force.
Frequently asked questions
What is Gasht-e Ershad?
The Guidance Patrol: the unit of Iran's national police created in 2005 to enforce compulsory hijab and public chastity rules, mainly against women.
Is Gasht-e Ershad still active in 2026?
Yes. It was never legally dissolved and returned openly with the Noor Plan in April 2024, combining street patrols with camera surveillance and business closures.
Did Gasht-e Ershad kill Mahsa Amini?
A Guidance Patrol unit detained her on 13 September 2022. She collapsed in custody within two hours and died on 16 September. The UN Fact-Finding Mission concluded her death resulted from physical violence by state agents.
What is the Noor Plan?
A nationwide hijab crackdown announced in April 2024, involving mass warnings, arrests, sealed businesses and, in at least one documented case, police gunfire.
Is Gasht-e Ershad part of the IRGC?
No. It belongs to FARAJA, the national police, although Basij units and volunteer enforcers linked to the IRGC carry out similar enforcement.
What happens to women who are detained?
Most are held for hours at a detention centre, made to sign a pledge and released; others face fines, prosecution, university or job penalties.