5. International Image vs Domestic Control
Kish is a tourist destination. Before this event, the marathon had potential to promote a more open, modern image of Iran — especially to foreign visitors. The crackdown, however, signals that domestic ideological control remains the priority — even at the cost of reputation, or international goodwill.
The Broader Climate: Hijab Law, Social Movements, and Crackdown
The Kish marathon is not an isolated case, but part of a broader pattern. Since the 2022 protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, Iranian authorities have repeatedly cracked down on women, activists, musicians, gym owners, and cultural events — often invoking public morality, hijab laws, and social order as justifications.
In recent months, the regime has intensified efforts to police social spaces: gyms have been shut down for mixed-gender sessions; musicians and cultural figures have been punished; and women’s rights activists have been arrested, flogged, or even sentenced to death under charges related to defiance of hijab laws.
