Iranian Authorities Block Tehran Restaurant's Instagram Over Alleged Political Slur

Iranian authorities have blocked the Instagram account of a Tehran restaurant named "Bibi's Kitchen" after it posted a wordplay perceived as a political jab against the Islamic Republic. The restaurant shared a story featuring the phrase "There's nothing like Bibi's cutlet," accompanied by a song by Iranian pop star Moein. The post quickly went viral before the account was legally shut down for publishing "criminal content."

While seemingly intended to promote a menu item, the phrase carries a double meaning within Iran's political lexicon. "Bibi" is an ancient Persian word for "grandmother" but is also a widely recognized nickname for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, frequently appearing in memes used by regime opponents to express support for Israeli strikes. The term "cutlet" (kotlet) has become a derogatory slang term since the January 2020 assassination of Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, mocking the state of his body after the U.S. strike in Baghdad. It is now used to refer to eliminated regime officials, and the combination was interpreted as a reference to Israeli assassinations of Iranian officials.

This is not the first time Iranian authorities have reacted to the use of the word "cutlet." In January 2023, a well-known chef was arrested after posting a cutlet recipe on the anniversary of Soleimani's killing; his restaurant was closed and his account removed. In January 2024, a doctor and university lecturer was arrested for posting a picture of a cutlet on the night of the assassination of IRGC official Razi Mousavi. Last June, a playwright faced criminal charges for writing that politics turns foolish men into special diet cutlets.

The sensitivity surrounding Israel-related topics has intensified amid the ongoing war. In March, Iranian authorities announced over a thousand arrests for sharing anti-government material online or for alleged collaboration with Israel and the U.S. The judiciary also issued a warning that aiding hostile countries could result in the death penalty.