Axis of Evil

Note: the veracity of this story is in question. Stay tuned.
Update (11:28 am) UPI believes the story enough to quote it.
Update (12:33 pm) Jerusalem Post and Y-Net News both cite the story. The Simon Wiesenthal Center in Israel (as well as its LA counterpart) takes the story at face value. Also, Y-Net news reported on Monday that Iran had passed a "National Uniform Law" mandating strict Islamic dress for men and women.
Update (12:40) a Canadian commenter at HistoryMike points out that the National Post is a disreputable tabloid. Also, a commenter links to the IRNA press release on Monday's passage.
Update (1:02) Canadian PM Stephen Harper commented on the story a few minutes ago, saying it may be true and he considers Iran "very capable" of doing this.
Update (3:48) American Jewish organizations issued a joint statement, published in JPost. They write: We have been seeking to clarify these reports but do not yet have confirmation. There are clear indications that various Iranian government agencies...are working on new uniforms to be introduced in the fall.

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President Ahmadinejad of Iran is doing his best to live up to his "Axis of Evil" billing. Not satisfied with calling for Israel's destruction and fanning the flames of anti-semitism, Ahmadinejad is triggering Godwin's Law on a global scale:

Iranian expatriates living in Canada yesterday confirmed reports that the Iranian parliament, called the Islamic Majlis, passed a law this week setting a dress code for all Iranians, requiring them to wear almost identical "standard Islamic garments."

The law, which must still be approved by Iran's "Supreme Guide" Ali Khamenehi [sic] before being put into effect, also establishes special insignia to be worn by non-Muslims.

Iran's roughly 25,000 Jews would have to sew a yellow strip of cloth on the front of their clothes, while Christians would wear red badges and Zoroastrians would be forced to wear blue cloth. (from national post via drudge)

This is beyond insane, but in a way it's good: if passed, it removes any pretense of normalcy or responsible leadership from the Iranian regime, and should unite world opinion against them. It also has great potential to turn most non-militant Muslim Iranians against their government; note that they as well as minorities are being regulated by this law. Whereas the nuclear crisis appeals to Iranian nationalism, this measure divides by creed a society with a rich history or tolerance.

Historical note: the use of the badges or bands for Jews and Christians goes back to the Caliphate in Iran (source) and to Pope Innocent III, 1215 AD, in Europe (source).