Iranian authorities have prohibited a dozen women actors from working because they did not adhere to the country's strict dress code which mandates wearing headscarves.

The Culture and Islamic Guidance Minister, Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, stated that those not following the law would not be allowed to work.

This move came after media reports indicated that 12 actresses, including well-known figures like Taraneh Alidoosti, Katayoun Riahi, and Fatemeh Motamed-Aria, would not be permitted to take on roles in movies due to hijab violations.

The strict dress code for women, requiring head coverings and modest clothing, has been enforced since 1983.

In the past year, women in Iran have increasingly defied the dress code which prompted authorities to take stronger measures against those who breach hijab rules.

In September, lawmakers voted to toughen penalties for dress code violations including the possibility of up to 10 years in jail for women who do not adhere to these rules.

These recent actions are seen as part of a broader effort to enforce strict Islamic dress and conduct codes in the country.

The dress code regulations have been in place since Iran's Islamic revolution in 1979, mandating head and neck coverings for women.

Violations of these rules are considered offences and have resulted in arrests and legal penalties.

In recent years, there has been increased resistance to these regulations as some women have chosen to remove their headscarves in public as a form of protest.

The government's stricter enforcement of the dress code comes amid wider social and political tensions in Iran with many citizens pushing for greater personal freedoms and changes in the country's laws and policies.