Iran seals restaurants over allegations businesses ‘failed to observe Islamic norms’

The Islamic Republic has sealed multiple restaurants across Gilan and South Khorasan provinces over allegations that the businesses had “failed to observe Islamic norms,” according to statements by police and Iranian organizations reported in local media.

Four café-restaurants in Fuman were sealed over alleged violations involving the observance of Islamic norms, Fuman police chief Hossein Ashouri told the semi-official Mehr News Agency on Sunday. He added that the managers of the sealed cafés had been referred to judicial authorities for legal proceedings.

Ashouri did not specify the alleged violations. However, cafés in Iran have previously been targeted for allowing men and women to sit together, permitting female patrons to go without mandatory head coverings, and playing music.

The Iranian legal advocacy network Dadbaan argued that, legally, citizens have the right to employment under Article 28 of the Constitution, and that restrictions on this right must be based on law.

“Under the Law on the Guild System, closing businesses also requires a specific violation and compliance with legal procedures. Therefore, a general reference to ‘failure to observe Islamic norms,’ without identifying the violations or the legal basis for sealing the premises, cannot by itself justify depriving citizens of the ability to engage in economic activity,” the network stated.

Three Birjand cafés also closed, IRGC-affiliated media reports

Meanwhile, South Khorasan Province prosecutor-general Ahmad Ghasemi announced that three cafés in Birjand had also been sealed for failing to observe Islamic principles, according to the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC)-affiliated Tasnim News Agency.

The three cafés were reportedly sealed after public complaints about their alleged failure to observe Islamic principles and violations of regulations on public decency.

Ghasemi said legal action would be taken against the businesses, adding: “Protecting public rights, preserving the legal and religious values of society, and preventing behavior contrary to public decency are among the responsibilities of the relevant authorities. Public complaints in this regard are carefully examined and pursued within the framework of the law.”

He added that “no establishment is permitted to disregard laws and regulations and thereby create conditions for behavior contrary to public decency and Islamic principles. Established violations will be dealt with without leniency and within the framework of the law. Where legally permitted, the closure and sealing of offending establishments will also be pursued.”