All articles tagged with #nowruz
Nowruz in Akre (Kurdistan Region of Iraq) features dusk torch processions up the mountains, traditional dress, and a giant Kurdish flag, with attendees from Iran, Syria, Turkey and Iraq despite rain and regional conflict; the flames symbolize light over darkness and gesture toward a united Kurdish identity across four countries, echoed by the 'two plus two equals one' slogan.
In a Nowruz message aired on Iranian TV, Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Iran’s enemies were being defeated as the US and Israel pressed attacks, praising national unity and denying that Iran or its allies were behind attacks on Turkiye and Oman (calling those incidents false flags). He urged closer ties with Afghanistan and Pakistan and offered to help, while President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran does not seek nuclear weapons and proposed a regional security framework to stabilize the region amid ongoing tensions.
Nowruz, Iran’s Persian New Year, traditionally a time of renewal, arrives amid war and economic hardship as attacks by the US and Israel take a toll on people and infrastructure; despite fear and rising prices, Tehran’s bazaar remains active and families observe customs, while some find hope in the holiday’s rebirth symbolism and ongoing protests reflect ongoing discontent with the regime.
Diaspora communities mark Nowruz with somber reflection as war interrupts contact with loved ones, turning celebrations in cities from Paris to New York into scenes of remembrance for those lost in Iran.
Nowruz triggers a widening crisis as Israel conducts strikes in Tehran and elsewhere while Iran fires missiles toward Israel; Iranian drones hit Gulf energy facilities, including Kuwait’s Mina Al-Ahmadi refinery, and Dubai-linked Iranian facilities are reported closed, underscoring escalating regional tensions and mounting casualties on multiple fronts.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Iranians to celebrate Nowruz, saying the IDF is striking terror operatives on the ground and 'watching from above,' after claiming two top terror chiefs were killed; he spoke from the Kirya military headquarters with senior defense leaders, while President Herzog also offered Nowruz greetings and hopes for change.
Three weeks into the conflict, Iran’s leadership crisis deepens as Mojtaba Khamenei’s fate remains uncertain ahead of Nowruz, fueling power-shift speculation while Israel and the US intensify pressure. The war risks widening through the Strait of Hormuz as oil markets react, even as domestic fuel shortages, internet outages, and security crackdowns mount. Diplomatic efforts, potential ceasefire talks, and regional mediation are in play amid escalating regional tensions.
Interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a decree recognizing Kurdish as a national language and designating Nowruz as a national holiday, vowing to protect Kurdish cultural and linguistic rights and allowing Kurdish instruction in schools in areas with significant Kurdish populations, as Kurdish-led forces redeploy and talks with the United States continue.
Iran is expected to intensify security around upcoming protest dates—especially the end of the 40‑day mourning on February 17 and Nowruz on March 20—while internet shutdowns continue to curb dissent and cost the economy, potentially straining security forces. The regime is worrying about Kurdish militancy in the northwest and has reportedly mobilized border security, with Iraqi militias possibly deployed to Iran to aid crackdowns. A January 16 protest in Zahedan signaled ongoing dissent, though demonstrations have yet to broaden nationwide. In Syria, the Assad regime began a limited Deir Hafer operation against SDF-held territory east of Aleppo, and Damascus issued a decree recognizing Kurdish rights and Nowruz, aimed at pushing toward negotiations with the SDF; the US is pushing for de-escalation. Overall, Iran faces heightened securitization with regional spillovers and rising political risk.
Nowruz, an ancient festival celebrating the arrival of spring, is observed by over 300 million people in various regions, including the Balkans, the Black Sea basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East. Rooted in Zoroastrianism, it is listed as part of the world’s intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO and is celebrated in countries with significant Persian cultural influence. The UN General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as International Nowruz Day in 2021.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden extend their best wishes to those celebrating Nowruz, emphasizing the holiday's reflection, renewal, and hope. They express solidarity with Iranian women fighting for their freedoms and pledge to hold Iranian officials accountable for human rights violations. Additionally, they highlight efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian people affected by the war in Gaza. The Bidens also recognize the diverse diaspora communities in the U.S. and decorate the White House Haft-Sin table to reflect hope for the new year, concluding with a message of peace and joy to all celebrating Nowruz.
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is an ancient festival celebrated on the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the end of an old year and the beginning of a new one. The festival is observed by more than 300 million people in different regions, including the Balkans, the Black Sea Basin, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, and others. The celebrations last for 13 days and include symbolic preparations with fire and water, ritual dances, and the Haft-Seen table, which is a family activity that includes seven symbolic items starting with the letter S.
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, has begun, marking the start of spring and symbolizing revival and renewal for its more than 300 million celebrants in modern-day Iran and beyond. The roughly two-week festival typically includes food, dancing, singing, and poetry. Nowruz is more than 3,000 years old and has its roots in Zoroastrianism. The holiday has spread across the vibrant trade routes of the Silk Road and is now celebrated by a wide array of ethnicities and religious groups in countries beyond Iran, including India, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Pakistan.