Nowruz 2026: Iranians Face War While Celebrating the Persian New Year

Fri Mar 20 2026 02:28:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

As Nowruz approaches, the Persian New Year carries bittersweet sentiments for Iranians amid ongoing military conflict. Citizens reflect on traditions while grappling with the harsh realities of war, making this year's celebrations uniquely somber.

During a time typically filled with excitement and preparation for Nowruz, many Iranians confront the somber realities of war. With airstrikes impacting daily life, the celebrations for the Persian New Year this year are marked by reflection, loss, and uncertainty, as many fear that the hostilities will overshadow the traditions they cherish.

Names of contributors have been changed for safety reasons.

In the days before the Persian new year festival of Nowruz, Iranians would usually be excitedly preparing...

But this year will be different...

Nowruz, which translates to 'new day,' is a traditional festival that marks the spring equinox, the rebirth of nature and the start of the new year in Iran and other countries. The festival falls on 20 March this year...

This year's Nowruz will be the first many in the country have experienced at war...

The US-based group Human Rights Activists in Iran reports that 3,114 people have been killed in Iran, including 1,354 civilians, of which at least 207 were children...

Markets, shopping centres, and streets across Iran are usually bustling with large crowds of shoppers in the final days before Nowruz. But this year, the buzz and excitement is not the same...

'When the new year comes, I don't know whether the sound of the holiday announcement on TV will be mixed with the noise of missiles and drones... but I really hope not,' Mina says...

This hosting of Nowruz and its circumstances brings forth complex emotions in a nation yearning for peace...