Iranians prepare for Persian new year under shadow of war
Iranians speak to the BBC about preparing for the Nowruz new year festival during the war.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"This year? Every day feels so long. It's like I've lost track of time."
— Mina , Other
"People are losing their jobs with the war. My biggest worry is our country's infrastructure."
— Amir , Other
"It used to be so much easier to find all the items for Nowruz before."
— Parmis , Other
"At the same time, this is a tradition that happens once a year, and we must celebrate it."
— Maryam , Other
"Now, she is all alone at home, with no way to stay in contact, watching the sky. I cannot imagine the state she is in."
— Shayan Ghadimi , Activist
Key People
Amir is Mina's son who has moved from Tehran to Damavand with his family.
Forough Jafari is involved in memorial efforts related to the lives lost in Iran amid the ongoing conflict.
Maryam is a woman who is preparing for the Nowruz festival.
Mina is the French-Algerian mother of football player Michael Olise.
Parmis is a woman in her 20s living in Tehran preparing for Nowruz.
Shayan Ghadimi is a restaurant owner in Paris whose family is affected by the ongoing turmoil in Iran.
Shima Razavi Gacek is an Iranian American resident in Los Angeles who organized a vigil ahead of Nowruz.
Tags
All Coverage
Iranians speak to the BBC about preparing for the Nowruz new year festival during the war.
Members of the Iranian diaspora are observing Nowruz, the Persian New Year, with heavy hearts due to the ongoing war and severed communications with loved ones in Iran.
Iranian Americans are celebrating Nowruz with a blend of sorrow and resilience amid political unrest in Iran and recent attacks on Iranian leaders.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
War weighs on Iran's economy as US intensifies sanctions - Reuters
War weighs on Iran's economy as US intensifies sanctions Reuters
August 29, 2026 at 02:04 AMUS military families ride 'roller coaster of emotions' over six months of Iran war - Reuters
US military families ride 'roller coaster of emotions' over six months of Iran war Reuters
August 29, 2026 at 01:09 PMAfter six months, the Iran war has reached its endgame - a costly stalemate - Reuters
After six months, the Iran war has reached its endgame - a costly stalemate Reuters
August 27, 2026 at 10:54 AMSix consequences of six months of war in Iran - Reuters
Six consequences of six months of war in Iran Reuters
August 27, 2026 at 05:06 AMIran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz, top security official Rezaei says - Reuters
Iran sets conditions for reopening Strait of Hormuz, top security official Rezaei says Reuters
August 27, 2026 at 08:50 PMIran vows to retaliate after US widens sanctions - Reuters
Iran vows to retaliate after US widens sanctions Reuters
August 25, 2026 at 12:57 AM