Iran seals multiple restaurants in two provinces over alleged religious violations

Authorities in the Islamic Republic have sealed multiple dining establishments across Gilan and South Khorasan provinces. Local media reports indicate that police and Iranian organizations have cited the businesses' failure to observe Islamic norms as the primary reason for the closures.

In the city of Fuman within Gilan province, four café-restaurants were sealed following allegations of violations. Hossein Ashouri, the police chief for Fuman, informed the semi-official Mehr News Agency on Sunday that the managers of these establishments had been referred to judicial authorities to begin legal proceedings. Ashouri did not provide specific details on the nature of the alleged infractions.

Previous instances in Iran have seen cafés targeted for various reasons, including allowing men and women to sit together, permitting female patrons to omit mandatory head coverings, and playing music. These precedents suggest the types of behaviors that may have triggered the recent closures in Fuman.

The legal advocacy network Dadbaan has challenged the closures, arguing that the actions infringe upon citizens' rights. The network stated that Article 28 of the Constitution guarantees the right to employment and that any restrictions on this right must be grounded in specific laws. They further noted that the Law on the Guild System requires a specific violation and adherence to legal procedures before a business can be closed.

Dadbaan emphasized that a general reference to a failure to observe Islamic norms, without identifying the exact violations or the legal basis for the sealing, cannot justify depriving citizens of their ability to engage in economic activity. The network maintains that the current approach lacks the necessary legal precision.

In South Khorasan province, the prosecutor-general, Ahmad Ghasemi, announced that three cafés in Birjand had also been sealed. This information was reported by Tasnim News Agency, which is affiliated with the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps. Ghasemi stated that the closures followed public complaints about the businesses' failure to observe Islamic principles and violations of regulations concerning public decency.

Ghasemi indicated that legal action would be taken against the Birjand establishments. He described the protection of public rights and the preservation of legal and religious values as core responsibilities of the relevant authorities. According to the prosecutor, public complaints in this area are carefully examined and pursued within the framework of the law.

The prosecutor-general added that no establishment is permitted to disregard laws and regulations in a way that creates conditions for behavior contrary to public decency and Islamic principles. He stated that established violations would be handled without leniency. Where legally permitted, the closure and sealing of offending establishments would be pursued to ensure compliance with societal norms.

The simultaneous closures in two different provinces highlight the active enforcement of social and religious standards in the public sector. The involvement of both police forces and prosecutorial offices underscores the multi-layered approach being taken to address these alleged violations across the country.

Legal experts and advocacy groups continue to monitor these cases, seeking to ensure that the enforcement of religious norms aligns with constitutional protections for economic activity. The outcome of the judicial proceedings for the managers in Fuman and Birjand will likely set a precedent for similar cases in the future.