As the war in Iran continues to escalate, the authorities in the West Asian nation announced the closure of a popular chain of cafes in Tehran. Here’s why

As the war in Iran continues to escalate, the authorities in the West Asian nation announced the closure of a popular chain of cafes in Tehran. The move was announced due to the design of the cafe’s brand that deemed to be referring to the killing of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei, multiple Iranian news outlets reported.

While the reports by the Iranian news agencies did not give further details on the matter, the Persian-language media based outside Iran said the controversial design for customers at the Lamiz chain of cafes showed an empty chair. This was seen as a comment on Khamenei’s killing and the failure of his son and successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, to appear in public since being named.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD

Both Tasnim and Mehr news agencies reported that the Branches of Lamiz in Tehran have been shuttered and sealed on the orders of the judiciary. The cafe had “designed suspicious designs against the martyred imam on its products in recent days,” they said, referring to Khamenei, who had ruled Iran since 1989.

Cafe responds

Meanwhile, in a statement on its social media channels, the cafe said that it had, over the last year, designed special cups for the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, which was celebrated this month. It went on to deny the interpretation of the logo believed by the Iranian authorities.

“The cups have no connection whatsoever to recent events — their production, from final design approval to printing, was completed over several months, and their full delivery to warehouses had already taken place before these events began,” it said in a statement.

Images shared by media outside Iran showed the cups adorned with a colourful empty chair surrounded by a shower of colourful droplets. It is pertinent to note that the cafe in question has over 20 branches in Tehran as well as others outside the capital.

According to media reports, only Tehran branches are believed to be affected by the move. The Iranian capital and other cities have seen a surge in cafe culture in recent years, with specialist coffee shops sprouting up as meeting places and also artistic hubs.

They have sometimes fallen foul of authorities for allegedly failing to impose the Islamic Republic’s dress rules for women, but also during moments of upheaval, such as the January 2026 protests against the clerical system.

HomeWorldIran shuts down popular Tehran coffee chain over cups allegedly celebrating Khamenei’s death, cafe deniesEnd of Article