Iranian climber who competed without hijab says it was 'completely unintentional'

An Iranian climber who took part in an international competition without wearing a hijab has insisted it was “completely unintentional”.

Wearing the hijab is mandatory for female athletes from the Islamic Republic, but at the event in South Korea on Sunday Elnaz Rekabi did not wear one.

It follows a wave of protests in Iran over the past month which were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini who was detained by the country’s morality police over her clothing.

Since the 22-year-old’s death, women in Iran have been removing their hijabs in public to make a stand.

The demonstrations represent the most serious challenge to Iran’s theocracy since the mass protests surrounding its disputed 2009 presidential election.

After receiving a hero’s welcome on her return to Iran on Wednesday, Ms Rekabi told a state TV reporter: “If I want to explain I should say that everything conforms to what I explained on the internet. It was completely unintentional. I think my (Instagram) story…