DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi returned to Tehran early Wednesday after competing in South Korea without wearing a headscarf, an act widely seen as support for anti-regime demonstrators amid weeks of protests over the Islamic Republic’s mandatory hijab.
After landing, Rekabi gave a careful, emotionless interview to Iran’s hard-line state television, saying that going without a hijab had been an “unintentional” act on her part. However, hundreds gathered outside Imam Khomeini International Airport—including women not wearing the hijab—and cheered for “Elnaz the Champion,” casting Rekabi as an inspiration for their continued protests.
The future Rekabi faces after returning home remains unclear. Supporters and Farsi-language media outside of Iran have worried about Rekabi’s safety after her return, especially as activists say the demonstrations have seen security forces arrest thousands so far….