Fearing protests during the Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri), celebrated on the last Tuesday of the Persian calendar year, Iran’s regime engaged in extensive security measures across the country. At the same time, the regime is engaging in different propaganda campaigns to dissuade the people from holding ceremonies on this occasion.
But despite these measures, Iran’s people marked the event by celebrating this national festival and carrying out anti-regime activities to show their defiance against the tyranny that has been ruling over Iran.
March 18—Bandar Anzali, northern Iran
Iranians mark the Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) with chants against the regime:
"Down with Khamenei"
"Down with the dictator"
"Down with the oppressor, be it the shah or the mullahs"#IranProtestspic.twitter.com/SOJYC08crk— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 18, 2025
In Bandar Anzali, northern Iran, the youth chanted slogans against the regime, including:
“Down with Khamenei”
“Down with the dictator”
“Down with the oppressor, be it the shah or the mullahs”
“Down with Khamenei, damned be Khomeini”
March 18—Ardebil, northwest Iran
Iranians celebrate the Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) despite security measures by the regime and chant "Down with Khamenei" #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/eaY6Zw0l6l— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 18, 2025
Iranians celebrate the Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) despite security measures by the regime. A reporter for Simaye Azadi, the Iranian Resistance television network, who recorded the scenes said, “We are resisting Khamenei and his corrupt regime. We will stand till the end and will overthrow this tyrannical regime. Death to Khamenei, damned be Khomeini.”
People in Iran mark the Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) by burning photos of regime founders and leaders, including Khomeini and Khamenei in multiple cities including Tehran, Rasht, Qom, Golpaygan, and Shiraz.#چهارشنبه_سوری #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/u71NtwaXH0
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 18, 2025
Iran’s people celebrate the Fire Festival by lighting fires and jumping over them. In different cities, including Tehran, Qom, Rasht, Golpaygan, and Shiraz, the people marked the event by burning images of regime supreme leader Ali Khamenei and founder Ruhollah Khomeini.
People in Karaj and Lahijan mark Iran's Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) by burning photos of Khomeini and Khamenei in multiple. #چهارشنبه_سوری #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/L5SdsnfXD4
— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 18, 2025
“Death to Khamenei, hail to Rajavi,” a local from Karaj said as he burned a photo of Khamenei. “I’m doing this for the martyrs of our nation.”
Khamenei and Khomeini’s photos were burned in Karaj and Lahijan, where people chanted, “We will answer fire with fire, damned be Khomeini.”
People in Karaj, Lahijan, Lordegan, Semirom, and Kashan mark Iran's Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) by burning photos of Khomeini and Khamenei while chanting:
"Down with Khamenei, damned be Khomeini"#چهارشنبه_سوری #IranProtestspic.twitter.com/zeLxgnp7SX— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 18, 2025
In Qazvin, the people celebrated the Fire Festival and lit fires despite the regime’s intense security measures. In Tehran’s Nezamabad district, the youth blocked roads to celebrate Charshanbe Suri despite the presence of security forces.
March 18—Qazvin, northern Iran
People celebrate the Fire Festival (Charshanbe Suri) despite security measures by the regime.#IranProtests #چهارشنبه_سوری pic.twitter.com/wBeuK6JWNu— People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK) (@Mojahedineng) March 18, 2025