A Restaurant in Kermanshah Closed; 'Norm Violation' as a Code Name for Continued Crackdown on Businesses

The judicial and police authorities of the Islamic Republic of Iran are labeling and cracking down on businesses with new and subjective definitions of 'norm violation.' In the latest case, a restaurant in Kermanshah has fallen victim to this approach. The Tasnim news agency, affiliated with security institutions in Iran, reported that a 'norm-violating' restaurant in Kermanshah was closed due to 'the prevalence of hijab discovery' and non-compliance with moral and Islamic laws by a judicial order. On Friday, April 24, Iranian media also reported the closure of the 'Uncle Hassan' restaurant in Gorgan due to 'improper hijab' of customers. According to reports, users shared a video of the restaurant owner complaining, stating that this is a repeated government project to place people against each other. In recent days, in an unprecedented event, news sources quoted the director of inspection and supervision over businesses in Mashhad, reporting the closure of a men's barbershop in Mashhad. Reports from Iran indicate that the closure of business units continues to be one of the tools of the Islamic Republic to impose 'mandatory hijab' in society. In the latest action, the police announced that starting today, Saturday, April 25, they will intensify their crackdown on those who do not comply with the government's mandatory hijab policy. A new phase of confrontation with businesses; a men's barbershop in Mashhad was closed. 106 business units were closed only in Hamadan; the autumn of businesses during Ramadan. The police in Isfahan reported the arrest of 'the assailants of the enforcer of the good' and the closure of a business unit. The sealing of businesses during Ramadan; about 80 units in Mashhad, Isfahan, and Qazvin were closed.