{"id":71679,"date":"2025-03-19T17:02:56","date_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/?p=71679"},"modified":"2025-03-19T17:02:56","modified_gmt":"2025-03-19T16:02:56","slug":"chaharshanbe-suri-national-fire-festival-sparks-nationwide-iran-protests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iranfreedom.org\/en\/iran-protests\/2025\/03\/chaharshanbe-suri-national-fire-festival-sparks-nationwide-iran-protests\/71679\/","title":{"rendered":"Chaharshanbe Suri: National Fire Festival Sparks Nationwide Iran Protests"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Iran\u2019s annual Fire Festival (Chaharshanbe Suri), traditionally marking the approach of Nowruz celebrations, ignited widespread anti-regime demonstrations <\/a>across major cities on March 18, 2025. Protesters in Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, Isfahan, Ahvaz, Tabriz, and other urban centers defied security forces, setting fire to images of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei<\/a> and chanting slogans demanding the downfall of the clerical regime. The event, long associated with political dissent, witnessed intensified confrontations between demonstrators and state security forces.<\/p>\n

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People celebrate Iran\u2019s Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) by burning photos of Khomeini and Khamenei and chant: \u201cIn Iran\u2019s calendar year 1404, the fire will strike the head of the snake.\u201d
\n#\u0686\u0647\u0627\u0631\u0634\u0646\u0628\u0647_\u0633\u0648\u0631\u06cc<\/a> #IranProtests<\/a>pic.twitter.com\/PmdFDIWUYm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 People\u2019s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI\/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 18, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n