Anyone reasonably well educated on the MidEast region realizes that Iranian women are relatively well off. Certainly light years ahead of their arab counterparts. Better educated, more free and as you, rightfully, point out, they hold more positions in the government of the Islamic Republic than clerics do.
But none of that is the issue. The question is whether or not this stricture violates human rights?
I know from experience that if you ask an Iranian woman if she wants to wear a hijab, she will most likely say "yes". (I'm told that the fuss to do your hair every morning is something most women would just as soon do without.) The thing is women should have the right to say "no", even if most would never use that right. That's the issue. Not whether or not women would want to go without a hijab, or whether or not Iranian women are more free.
Consider that a population is told that something is the One True Way all their life -- and that anyone thinking differently is evil and should be thrown in jail.
Are you really surprised that a large part of those people would agree with what they are taught? (In Iran's case, this is also asked in an interview situation where their answers probably will reach the secret police known for torture and rape.)
But none of that is the issue. The question is whether or not this stricture violates human rights?
I know from experience that if you ask an Iranian woman if she wants to wear a hijab, she will most likely say "yes". (I'm told that the fuss to do your hair every morning is something most women would just as soon do without.) The thing is women should have the right to say "no", even if most would never use that right. That's the issue. Not whether or not women would want to go without a hijab, or whether or not Iranian women are more free.