US Expresses Deep Sadness Over Iranian Teen’s Tragic Death in Hijab Incident

The United States has expressed deep sadness and condemnation over the tragic death of Iranian teen Armita Geravand, a 17-year-old Iranian girl who had been in a coma following a controversial incident on Tehran’s metro. 

Her passing has once again highlighted the ongoing human rights concerns in Iran.

Armita Geravand’s ordeal began on October 1, 2023, when she lost consciousness on the Tehran metro. 

She was subsequently in a coma and received treatment at Tehran’s Fajr Hospital until her tragic demise declared brain dead a week before her passing on a fateful Saturday.

The circumstances surrounding Armita’s incident have been a subject of dispute. 

A widely circulated surveillance video on social media showed Armita being carried from the metro while not wearing a hijab. 

However, the Kurdish-focused rights group Hengaw reported that she had been severely wounded in a confrontation with members of Iran’s “morality police,” who enforce a strict dress code requiring women to wear veils in public.

In contrast, Iranian authorities asserted that Armita Geravand had fallen and injured her head due to a sudden drop in blood pressure. 

They categorically denied any “physical or verbal altercations” during the incident.

The tragic death of Armita Geravand follows a similar incident a year earlier when Mahsa Amini, another young Iranian Kurd, lost her life after being arrested by the “morality police” for allegedly violating the dress code. 

Mahsa’s death triggered mass protests across the Islamic Republic, shedding light on the severity of the situation.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed his deep sadness and strongly condemned Iran’s state-sponsored violence against its people. 

He pointed out that these events underscore the fragility of the Iranian regime.

These tragic incidents continue to draw international attention and raise concerns about human rights within Iran, particularly regarding the enforcement of strict dress codes for women. 

The treatment of individuals who do not comply with these codes has sparked outrage and condemnation worldwide.

The deaths of young women like Armita Geravand and Mahsa Amini emphasize the need for ongoing scrutiny, advocacy, and international pressure to protect the rights and well-being of individuals in Iran. 

The global community remains committed to addressing these pressing human rights issues and pushing for change within the country.