A large crowd at Tehran airport welcomed an Iranian sport climber who competed without a headscarf at the IFSC Asian Championships amid anti-regime protests.
Iranians called her a "heroine" for her brave move.
Elnaz Rekabi, 33, broke Iran's strict dress code - but later said her hijab had fallen off "inadvertently". Many are sceptical about the reason she gave in an Instagram post and repeated in a state TV interview at the airport, believing it was made under duress.
Iran is gripped by nationwide protests against the regime.
Iranian women are required to cover their hair with a headscarf and their arms and legs with loose clothing. Female athletes must also abide by the rules when they are officially representing Iran in competitions abroad.
Her family met her at the airport, where she was hugged and handed several bunches of flowers. She covered her hair with a black baseball cap and hoodie.
