Iran cracks down on Nowruz gatherings over anti-government chants

Iranian judicial authorities have announced arrests and legal action against individuals who took part in New Year’s celebrations at historical sites, accusing them of desecration, disrupting public order, and violating Islamic norms.

The gatherings in Fras Province and the religious city of Mashhad were marked by dancing and anti-government slogans, as well as expressions of support for the former Pahlavi monarchy.

Kamran Mirhaji, the Fars provincial prosecutor, said Sunday that legal cases had been opened against several participants and that further action would follow the completion of investigations.

During the New Year’s celebrations, crowds at popular tourist sites—including Persepolis, the tombs of national poets Hafez and Ferdowsi, and the Omar Khayyam mausoleum—were seen dancing and chanting anti-government and pro-Pahlavi slogans.

Videos circulating online showed crowds at Persepolis chanting "Long live the Shah." At the tomb of Ferdowsi, attendees were heard chanting slogans such as "The tyrant is overthrown, the Shah is coming home," "This is the final battle, the Pahlavi is returning," and "Woman, life, freedom.”

Hassan Hosseini, the governor of Mashhad, said on Thursday that a small number of people who disrupted the New Year's ceremonies had been identified and would face what he called appropriate judicial action.

Additionally, the director of the Tus cultural heritage site announced the closure of the Ferdowsi tomb complex on the Ramadan days, coinciding with the anniversary of the first Shia Imam's death.

In Neyshabur, large crowds also celebrated the New Year at the Khayyam mausoleum, where attendees chanted "Reza Shah, bless your soul."

Similar gatherings with chanting and singing of Iranian songs were reported at other tourist sites.