Iran has banned the production of Valentine's Day gifts and any promotion¹ of the day celebrating romantic love to combat what it sees as a spread of Western culture, Iranian media reported.

据伊朗媒体报道，为抵制西方文化在本国传播，伊朗政府已颁布“情人节禁令”，禁止生产节庆礼品、或举办与这一浪漫爱情节日有关的庆祝活动。

The February 14 celebration named after a Christian² saint is not officially banned but hardliners have repeatedly warned about the corruptive³ spread of Western values. Under Iran's Islamic law, unmarried couples are not allowed to mingle⁴（混合，交往） .

The printing works owners' union issued an instruction on the ban, imposed by Iranian authorities, covering gifts such as cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts and red roses.

"Honoring foreign celebrations is the spread of Western culture," said the union's head, Ali Nikou Sokhan, ILNA news agency reported. "Our country has an ancient civilization and various days to honor kindness, love and affection."

Valentine's Day has become increasingly popular among the Iranian youth and is a money-maker for businesses in a country where 70 percent of people are under 30 and have no memory of the 1979 Islamic revolution which toppled the US-backed Shah.

"Printing and producing any products related to Valentine's Day, including posters, brochures（小册子） , advertising⁵ cards, boxes with the symbols of hearts, half-hearts, red roses and any activities promoting this day are banned," read the instruction. "Authorities will take legal action against those who ignore the ban."

Some nationalists have suggested replacing Valentine's Day with "Mehregan," an Iranian festival celebrated⁶ since the pre-Islamic era. Mehr means friendship, affection or love.