New Phase of Confrontation with Businesses; A Men's Hair Salon in Mashhad Closed

News sources reported, citing the director of inspection and supervision of businesses in Mashhad, that a men's hair salon was closed in Mashhad. The state news agency IRNA reflected this news, stating that the reason for this action was 'deviant behavior.' Mohsen Sayadi did not provide any further details on this matter, and it is unclear what this new designation for the men's hair salon entails and under which resolution and law it was carried out. Sayadi explained the government's confrontations with businesses through inspections, stating that 'in one day, three fast food units and three coffee shops in the city of Mashhad were closed due to non-compliance with Ramadan laws.' The closure of businesses under the pretext of Ramadan regulations and 'deviant behavior' has also made headlines in recent days. In this regard, on April 19, the head of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences announced that during Ramadan, 366 centers for the preparation, distribution, and sale of food were referred to judicial authorities, and by that day, 106 centers had been closed. On the same day, the public relations department of the Industry, Mining, and Trade Organization of Sistan and Baluchestan Province announced that on Saturday, April 18, 12 cases were filed against violating businesses, and 4 businesses were closed in Zahedan. In this context, on Friday, April 17, the IRIB news agency also announced that in implementing the 'Social Security Enhancement' plan in the business sector and dealing with 'disrespect' during Ramadan, 7 violating businesses in Jiroft were closed. Reports indicate that by mid-Ramadan, 107 businesses had been closed in Hormozgan, and 13 men and 1 woman had been referred to court, with 55 businesses in Khuzestan, 42 businesses in Mashhad, 30 businesses in Isfahan, and 6 businesses in Qazvin also closed. The closure of businesses has occurred extensively in all large and small cities and even villages. Eating and drinking in public during Ramadan between dawn and sunset is prohibited in Iran, and what is termed 'eating during Ramadan without a valid reason' is considered a 'forbidden act' that can lead to punishments including flogging. According to Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code, 'Anyone who publicly displays a forbidden act in public and streets shall be punished with imprisonment from 10 days to 2 months or up to 74 lashes, and if the act committed does not carry a punishment but violates public decency, they shall be punished with imprisonment from 10 days to 2 months or 74 lashes.' 106 businesses were closed only in Hamadan; the autumn of businesses during Ramadan. The Isfahan police reported the arrest of 'those involved in the assault on the enforcer of virtue' and the closure of a business. The sealing of businesses during Ramadan; about 80 businesses in Mashhad, Isfahan, and Qazvin were closed. Businesses continue to be targeted by judicial actions; a café restaurant in Kerman was closed, and its manager was arrested. A judicial official reported the closure of 65 businesses in 12 days in Hamadan. Increased pressure on businesses during Ramadan; the closure of food vendors has become widespread.