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Iranians have celebrated the Fire Festival, the ancient Chaharshanbe Suri festival, as they do every year, despite the ongoing attacks from Israel and the United States. The celebrations, starting a few days before Nowruz, the Persian New Year, took place in some Iranian cities with authorities warning people not to set off fireworks, declaring the practice illegal.
But Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of the last Shah of Iran, called on citizens in two statements to hold the Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations and “ignite the fire of peace and life in the streets and neighbourhoods.” At the same time, he urged the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Israel to ensure people’s safety against the actions of security forces.
Benjamin Netanyahu, in a message directed to the Iranian people, said: “Go to the squares, celebrate, we are watching over you from above.”
Images of authorities’ crackdown emerging on social media
On the evening of March 17, corresponding to the last Wednesday of the year before Nowruz, Iranians in various cities celebrated the long-standing tradition of Chaharshanbe Suri by jumping over fires and enjoying festivities, despite the looming threat of war and the painful memory of the January massacres still fresh in their minds.
Although images from different cities have circulated on social media, a nationwide internet blackout in Iran makes it impossible to accurately gauge the size of the gatherings for this year’s Fire Festival.
In videos released from the Chitgar neighborhood in western Tehran, security forces can be seen entering an apartment complex with a large convoy of vehicles while chanting slogans, and gunshots can also be heard.
Government supporters mobilised
Ahmad Reza Radan, commander of the Islamic Republic’s law enforcement, had previously told a group of government supporters regarding Chaharshanbe Suri: “Tomorrow night will be a decisive night for us.” He urged government supporters not to “allow themselves to feel tired” and “not to leave the streets empty, especially tomorrow night.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Intelligence expressed concern in a statement over what it described as “Israeli soldiers’ misuse of Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations.
Israeli officials had previously announced that they would target Basij forces attempting to disrupt the festivities, noting that they had already struck many checkpoints in the recent past.
The Tehran Provincial Judiciary had earlier sent an SMS to citizens, asking them to refrain from “lighting fires and setting off fireworks” during the New Year’s Eve celebrations, declaring fireworks during Chaharshanbe Suri to be “prohibited.”
Chaharshanbe Suri, an ancient Persian festival held on the last Wednesday of the year, involves jumping over fire to burn away negativity and start the new year positively. In recent years, the Islamic Republic has consistently opposed these celebrations, and young Iranians often use the occasion to express their discontent with the regime’s policies.
Video editor • Amandine Hess