Iranian authorities have launched a clampdown on cafes in the capital, Tehran, in recent months, suspecting them of fostering anti-government sentiment and facilitating protests.
According to the human rights organization HRANA, at least seven cafes and restaurants were shut down on July 19 alone for allegedly failing to comply with mandatory hijab rules.
Previously, some media outlets, including Javan, a newspaper affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have described cafes as "gathering places for protesters" who, in their view, pose a threat to "national security."
Most recently, the "Vanak Park" cafes in Tehran were sealed, resulting in at least 200 people losing their jobs.
Crackdown on cafes
