Iranians Mark Nowruz Amid Ongoing War and Strife

As Iranians around the world prepare to celebrate Nowruz, the traditional Persian New Year, a somber mood prevails due to the ongoing conflict in Iran. The war, which began shortly after the U.S. and Israel commenced airstrikes, has left many families in turmoil, grappling with the emotional weight of separation and uncertainty.

Shayan Ghadimi, a 41-year-old restaurateur in Paris, reflects on the impact of the conflict on her family. Her mother, 70 years old, returned to Iran from France at the end of 2025 to witness the nationwide protests that had erupted against the regime. “We could see the market closed, the people in the street. She said, ‘I want to be there,’” Ghadimi recalled. However, her mother’s decision has resulted in a painful absence, as the two have struggled to maintain contact amid the chaos that has ensued.

“Now, she is all alone ... with no way to stay in contact, watching the sky,” Ghadimi said, expressing her deep concern for her mother’s safety. The family’s struggle to connect is a common theme among many Iranians living abroad as they navigate the emotional challenges of celebrating Nowruz under such grim circumstances.

In Paris, Ghadimi’s restaurant has become a refuge for the Iranian community, where patrons share their hopes and fears over flame-grilled kebabs and spiced rice. “I have people in tears. I have people who cry for joy. They say, ‘Did you see? They are coming. We are going to be saved.’ Others say, ‘Our country is being destroyed,’” she explained. This dichotomy of emotions captures the complex reality many face during this festive time.

Meanwhile, the Iranian cultural center in Paris has opted to scale back its Nowruz festivities, echoing a sentiment shared by Iranian American communities in the United States. The war has cast a shadow over what is typically a time of celebration, with many opting to mark the occasion with heavy hearts or forgoing it altogether.

Back in Iran, the atmosphere is starkly different. One woman, who spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, described how she had nearly forgotten about Nowruz amid the turmoil. “There are no decorations in the streets,” she lamented. “I only found out by chance.” The traditional family shopping trip to prepare for the Haft-Seen, a symbolic arrangement of seven items representing new beginnings, was impossible due to the ongoing violence.

“Why do you want to set it up, just forget it!” her mother urged, reflecting the despair that has permeated their lives. However, they managed to uphold some traditions, such as burning espand—aromatic seeds meant to ward off the evil eye—despite the surrounding gloom.

As the war continues, the Iranian regime appears to believe it is gaining the upper hand. Reports indicate that Tehran is signaling confidence in its ability to impose a settlement on Washington, potentially entrenching its dominance over Middle Eastern energy resources for decades. This perspective could prove dangerous, as President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have issued mixed signals regarding the conflict's duration. Netanyahu recently stated that the war would end “a lot faster than people think,” while Trump claimed the U.S. would wrap up the conflict in the “near future,” even as thousands of Marines were dispatched to the region.

In Tehran, the situation remains dire. Hadi, a writer in the city, described the increasing brutality of the regime, noting that “something has shifted very dramatically.” He observed that social suffering is now closely tied to political rage, with even elderly women openly cursing the government. “The country has been plunged into silence,” he wrote, highlighting a widespread internet blackout that has made communication difficult and allowed misinformation to spread easily.

Hadi has been documenting the war’s impact on daily life, sharing images of long lines at bakeries and the empty streets as neighborhoods emptied in fear. Grocery stores are running low on essential items, and prices for basic goods have skyrocketed. “The price of cigarettes doubled,” he reported, as hospital wards, ATMs, and gas stations closed down under the strain of conflict.

As Nowruz approaches, the Iranian authorities executed three men convicted of killing police officers during earlier anti-government demonstrations, a grim reminder of the regime's oppressive tactics. Hadi’s last message included a poignant reflection on the holiday: “The moment of the new year’s arrival was striking. It reminded me of a Nowruz from my childhood, during the war with Iraq.” He expressed a strange sense of optimism, believing that the current turmoil could present new opportunities for Iran’s freedom movement.

As families gather around their Haft-Seen tables, the juxtaposition of hope and despair is palpable. Ghadimi, despite her worries, continues to serve her customers in Paris, hoping for a brighter future for her homeland. “All these oppressors want is for us to be sad, to forget our millennia-old Persian and Iranian traditions,” Edighoffer, another Iranian in Paris, said. “We must not give them that victory.”

With the conflict showing no signs of abating, the resilience of the Iranian spirit shines through, even in the darkest of times. As the new year dawns, many hold onto the hope that peace will return, allowing them to celebrate their rich cultural heritage once more.