17 March 2026
Chaharshanbe Suri (Iran’s traditional fire festival before the New Year)
Despite the wartime conditions and government threats, Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations took place tonight across several cities, including Tehran, Rasht and Mashhad, with large numbers of young people taking to the streets.
Celebrations across cities
Young women and men came out into the streets, lighting fires, dancing, singing and celebrating the traditional festival. This took place at the same time as the authorities were mourning the deaths of regime figures Ali Larijani and Gholamreza Soleimani, commander of the Basij.
- Rasht: Groups of people gathered in the streets chanting “Freedom, Freedom, Freedom.”
- Chitgar, Tehran: After news of Ali Larijani’s death spread, residents came out into the streets, lit fires and celebrated Chaharshanbe Suri.
- Ekbatān, Tehran: Protest slogans including “Death to the dictator” were heard as people danced and celebrated.
For many people, the deaths of Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani were received as welcome news during this year’s Chaharshanbe Suri and on the eve of the Persian New Year.
Defiance despite war and repression
With only a few days remaining before the New Year, people across the country are continuing to celebrate and assert life and joy despite the wartime atmosphere and the aftermath of the bloody events of Dey. Through music, dancing and street gatherings, many are also expressing their reaction to the regime’s repeated defeats and the weakening of its leading figures.
For the people, Chaharshanbe Suri this year has become not only a cultural celebration but also an expression of defiance and hope for the end of the Islamic Republic.
Worker-communist Party of Iran
17 March 2026
