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Love knows no boundaries, Iran. So NewsFeed will just have to find another way to get our chocolates to the Supreme Leader.
In an attempt to banish Western influence from the lusting minds of Iranian youth, the Islamic country’s state-run media announced that the production of Valentine’s Day gifts as well as any promotion of the day celebrating romantic love between a man and a woman (because Iran does not have any gay people, according to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad) has been banned.
Love in Iran is not outlawed (and the Christian holiday itself is not actually prohibited), but unmarried couples are not allowed to socialize under Islamic law.
According to Reuters, the holiday has become increasingly popular for younger Iranians, which now make up a huge chunk of the population. An estimated 70 percent of Iranians are under 30.
The new Valentine’s Day guidelines warn Iranians that legal action could be taken against violators.
“Printing and producing any products related to Valentine’s Day, including posters, brochures, advertising cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned,” the new instructions read.
You know, we didn’t see anything about chocolates on there. Maybe we will be able to send those, after all.
(Check out TIME’s Cheapskate’s Gift Guide for present ideas this year.)