Iranian security forces have intensified a crackdown on coffee shops and restaurants in Tehran, citing concerns that these venues serve as hubs for anti-government sentiment and protest coordination. According to the human rights organization HRANA, at least seven such establishments were forcibly closed on July 19 for alleged violations of mandatory hijab regulations.
State-affiliated media, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked newspaper Javan, have characterized cafes as assembly points for individuals threatening national security. The most recent high-profile closure targeted the Vanak Park area, resulting in the loss of livelihoods for approximately 200 employees.
Officials view the widespread popularity of cafes as a potential vehicle for mass mobilization. This anxiety stems from the protest wave that erupted on December 28, 2025, which escalated into the most significant civil unrest in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
In a notable case, Saediniya, a prominent cafe chain with ten branches, suspended operations in solidarity with strike calls. The owner, Sadegh Saedinia, was subsequently convicted of propaganda against the state. The Supreme Court upheld his sentence of 12 years and six months in prison and ordered the confiscation of his assets. Similar fates befell other establishments like Lamiz and Voria, the latter owned by a well-known Iranian footballer, both shut down for perceived indirect support of the demonstrations.
The density of cafes in Tehran has surged dramatically over the past decade, climbing from an estimated 300 in the early 2010s to roughly 4,000 today. Experts suggest this growth reflects broader social and cultural shifts, with many young Iranians seeking respite from economic pressures.
Saba Alaleh, a clinical psychologist specializing in political and social issues, told DW’s Persian service that the proliferation of cafes represents a response to chronic national crisis. She described these venues as “third spaces” where individuals can temporarily escape daily stresses and maintain a sense of normalcy.
Nasser, a Tehran cafe owner, noted that his clientele is predominantly middle-class and drawn to the trend despite soaring inflation. He argued that enforcement actions are politically motivated, stating that while women in public have largely abandoned the compulsory headscarf, authorities still demand cafes police their patrons.
Alaleh emphasized that the state’s objective extends beyond gender policing to controlling information flow and social organization. She argued that any independent social network fosters trust and dialogue outside government supervision, thereby challenging the regime’s monopoly over the public sphere. For security apparatuses, even casual gatherings in cafes can signal the emergence of autonomous networks that complicate authoritarian control.
Wait, is the footballer owner really sentenced too? It seems the net is casting wide on anyone with a public profile or business.
From 300 to 4,000 cafes? That rapid growth clearly scares the regime. They cannot tolerate spaces outside their total control.
The Vanak Park closure hits hard. Losing livelihoods for simply operating a cafe feels like pure economic punishment masked as security.
It is terrifying how authorities equate ordinary social gatherings with treason. These are just people seeking normalcy in a crisis.