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

Iranian authorities sealed multiple restaurants in Gilan and South Khorasan provinces for allegedly failing to observe Islamic norms. Police in Fuman sealed four café-restaurants, and three cafés in Birjand were closed after public complaints. The legal network Dadbaan argued the closures lacked specific legal justification.

The Islamic Republic has sealed multiple restaurants in Gilan and South Khorasan provinces over allegations that the businesses 'failed to observe Islamic norms,' according to statements by police and Iranian organizations reported in local media. Four café-restaurants in Fuman were sealed, with managers referred to judicial authorities. Police chief Hossein Ashouri did not specify the violations, though past cases have involved mixed-gender seating, lack of head coverings, and music. In Birjand, three cafés were closed after public complaints, announced by prosecutor-general Ahmad Ghasemi via the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency. The Iranian legal advocacy network Dadbaan argued that the closures lack specific legal justification under the Law on the Guild System and Article 28 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to employment.