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Iran Shuts Down Cafe Chain Over Controversial Cup Design

3/29/2026

44 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Iranian authorities closed the Lamiz cafe chain on March 28 over a controversial coffee cup design.
The cup depicted an empty chair and the Farsi phrase "spring is coming," which authorities viewed as mocking Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Lamiz has 40 branches, primarily in Tehran, and says the design was finished months earlier with no political intent.
The closure reflects ongoing tensions in Iran's cafe culture amid recent political upheaval.

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Story summary

Iranian authorities closed the Lamiz cafe chain on March 28 over a controversial coffee cup design.
The cup depicted an empty chair and the Farsi phrase "spring is coming," which authorities viewed as mocking Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Lamiz has 40 branches, primarily in Tehran, and says the design was finished months earlier with no political intent.
The closure reflects ongoing tensions in Iran's cafe culture amid recent political upheaval.