No ‘atmosphere of celebration’ as Iranians observe Nowruz and Eid amidst conflict
By M Vall
Reporting from Tehran, Iran
Iranians are commemorating a dual festival, Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr, under the looming presence of war. However, the situation here remains quite tranquil.
The New Year commenced a few days prior to today, accompanied by a sense of preparation and anticipation.
Last Tuesday was typically a day when people would have filled the streets and ignited bonfires, but such activities were absent due to directives from the authorities, who feared that the occasion could be exploited by dissenters, as there were external calls to take advantage of the moment to express opposition to the government.
Even government supporters refrained from engaging in the customary activities typically associated with this day. Today, it is anticipated that the celebration will be conducted with great caution, primarily indoors.
Iranians across the political spectrum are in mourning for their deceased.
The opposition grieves for the thousands who lost their lives in January, as reported, while government supporters mourn the 1,500 individuals who perished in the last 20 days, alongside the notable leaders of the nation who have been assassinated.
Consequently, there is decidedly no atmosphere of celebration.
A picture of a child victim killed in a strike is displayed at Tajrish Bazaar, ahead of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, on Thursday [Majid Asgaripour/West Asia News Agency via Reuters]
The spokesperson for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that Tehran is actively engaged in missile production, aiming to refute Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that Iran can no longer do so.
General Ali Mohammad Naeini expressed these views in a report cited by Iran’s state-operated IRAN newspaper on Friday.
“Our missile industry has achieved a score of 20, and there are no concerns in this area, as we are manufacturing missiles even under wartime conditions, which is remarkable, and there are no significant issues with stockpiling.”
A score of twenty is considered perfect within the Iranian educational system.
During a press conference in Israel on Thursday, Netanyahu claimed that Iran has lost its ability to produce ballistic missiles.
“We are achieving victory, and Iran is being significantly weakened,” Netanyahu remarked.
The IRGC spokesperson indicated that the conflict would persist.
“These individuals anticipate that the war will continue until the enemy is entirely worn out,” the general commented regarding the Iranian populace. “This war should conclude only when the threat of war is removed from the nation.”
