Iranians Irked By Reports That Burger King Could Open In Iran

Iranians were irked by reports that Burger King registered to open in Iran, with some bashing the news as a sign of America’s creeping capitalism and others joking that “soon, Jack Daniels and Smirnoff will enter the market.”

According to a document bearing Burger King’s logo that was posted on the Iranian government’s website, the Burger King Corporation registered on Sunday to operate in the Islamic republic. The authenticity of the document has not been confirmed. But local news reports about the apparent registry annoyed some Iranians.

“These are negative effects related to the nuclear agreement with America,” said Javad, an Iranian Facebook user from Tehran. “Western companies are lining up to suck the money and the capital of Iranians.” Others said the apparent move is ridiculous given the nation’s economic state as it seeks to ward off a recession. “Most people in Iran don’t have money to buy eggs, now they have to buy Burger King,” another Iranian wrote on Facebook.

Some, though, welcomed the Home of the Whopper — but not for its fries or shakes. “It can solve the problem of unemployment,” someone posted.

This isn’t the first time Iranians were miffed at the possibility of U.S. companies setting up shop in their country. After Iran and six world powers including the U.S. agreed to a nuclear deal, Iranians affiliated with the hard-line Revolutionary Guards launched an online campaign against the dreaded McDonald’s and other perceived aspects of American influence.