Quote:The abrupt change shows how the political ground may be shifting following the surprise death last month of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash.

Quote:Nearly two years after Iran crushed a wave of women's rights protests, the hijab − the head cover that all women are required to wear in public by 45-year-old morality laws − has become so toxic that conservatives aligned with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei appear to be dodging the issue.

As a moderate candidate gains ground ahead of Friday's presidential election, conservative politicians in the Islamic Republic are trying to distance themselves from lightning-rod laws forcing women to cover themselves.