Iran Shuts Down Tehran and Qom Cafés in New Hijab Enforcement Phase

Iranian authorities closed cafés in Tehran in July 2026 and three coffee shops in Qom in August 2026 over female customers not wearing headscarves, per Iran International. Iran Human Rights describes a broader shift: hijab enforcement moving from street patrols to business closures, undercover agents, and prosecutions. RFE/RL reports enforcement has nonetheless visibly eased across major cities.