2025 Chaharshanbe Suri Festival

Chaharshanbe Suri is a traditional fire festival celebrated on the last Wednesday night of the year according to the Solar Hijri calendar in Iran. In 2025, the festival witnessed large-scale participation but resulted in a significant number of casualties and injuries. Due to fireworks, explosives, and clashes with security forces during the celebrations, 21 people lost their lives, and 6,419 people were injured.

_{Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations, March 18, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Chaharshanbe Suri is a festival rooted in Iran’s ancient Zoroastrian traditions. The celebrations symbolize the arrival of Nowruz and involve jumping over fire to leave behind bad luck and welcome the new year with health and prosperity. Participants leap over the flames while reciting prayers such as "My yellow is yours, your red is mine," believing that this ritual grants them vitality and well-being for the year ahead.

The 2025 Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations took place across various cities in Iran with large gatherings. People lit bonfires, set off fireworks, and participated in traditional dances. The festivities generally began after iftar and continued throughout the night.

_{Chaharshanbe Suri celebrations, March 18, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

Similar to previous years, this year's celebrations resulted in fatalities and injuries. According to the Iran Emergency Center, 21 people lost their lives, and 6,419 were injured. Among the injured, 18 were reported to be in critical condition. Some victims suffered limb amputations, while others sustained eye injuries. Additionally, the use of fireworks and homemade explosives caused damage to numerous buildings, and the smell of gunpowder filled city centers.

In Tehran’s Yousefabad district, a tree caught fire due to fireworks, causing panic among residents. In Eslamshahr County, an ambulance was hit by an explosive device, rendering it out of service. Nationwide, a total of five ambulances were damaged due to explosives.

In 2025, Chaharshanbe Suri also coincided with anti-regime protests. In major cities such as Tehran, Karaj, Mashhad, Isfahan, Tabriz, and Ahvaz, people chanted slogans against the Iranian government and clashed with security forces. Protesters carried anti-government banners.

Despite heavy security measures, police and security forces were unable to prevent mass demonstrations. In Karaj, protesters threw fireworks and homemade explosives at security vehicles.