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.
