UPDATE: Apparently this whole story was false, a hoax. I’m definitely relieved. I’ll leave the rest here because, well, I’m lazy like that.

I haven’t followed internal affairs in Iran lately, but a recent story has chilling history-repeating-itself overtones. Apparently Jews and other non-Muslims will be required to wear color-coded insignia to differentiate them from Muslims.

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 before being put into effect, also establishes special insignia to be worn by non-Muslims.

If true, this would be the scariest development yet from Iran. This is the kind of development that starts to justify UN sanctions and (maybe just the barest beginnings of) thoughts of regime change. I just hope it doesn’t get drowned out by the incessant saber-rattling we’ve seen to date.

As an aside, I’m proud that I got through this whole post without using the terms “Nazi” or “Hitler”. Until the end, of course. Bah, nevermind.