Tehran Authorities Demolish Street Cafés in Ekbatan Town

Authorities in Tehran demolished multiple street cafés in Ekbatan Town earlier this week in what is seen as a move to punish residents of an area that has been a flashpoint of recent anti-government protests.

Images showing the demolition of at least eight cafés by officers from the district 5 municipality surfaced on social media on May 14, triggering widespread negative reactions.

The presence of security forces wearing black hats and masks and the deployment of at least 20 anti-riot police motorcycles during the operation indicate that the Islamic Republic's security institutions were prepared to suppress any potential protests.

District 5 Mayor Ehsan Sharifi responded to the criticism the next day by saying that the cafés were occupying public spaces illegally and citing "public demand" as another reason for their demolition.

Sharifi said that the operation was carried out under a "judicial order" and in coordination with the police and other relevant institutions.

On the evening, local residents resumed their protest by chanting slogans against the Islamic Republic from rooftops and windows of residential buildings. 

The cafés were run by educated local youth. One of the owners told Shargh newspaper that the demolition of his café had cost him about $14,000.

The owner explained that he received a letter from the municipality approximately four years ago stating that his café would need to close down.

The authorities sent the last warning six months ago, stating that the café will be sealed due to its location in a public space and because it was spreading "indecency" and "corruption."