Following the call of the PMOI Social Headquarters inside Iran, despite the full-scale mobilization and complete readiness of the regime’s suppressive forces, rebellious youth turned the Chaharshanbeh Suri celebrations into a fiery uprising against the clerical regime in at least 134 cities
Despite the full-scale mobilization and complete readiness of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the State Security Force (SSF), the Ministry of Intelligence, and other intelligence and security agencies, as well as the heavy presence of suppressive forces—particularly patrols and motorcycle units—in sensitive areas of Tehran and various cities, and despite the threats and warnings issued by the IRGC and the SSF commanders to prevent public gatherings and participation in Chaharshanbeh Suri celebrations, people took to the streets in large numbers on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, turning the celebrations into a confrontation between youth and the suppressive forces.
According to reports published so far by the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), rebellious youth, responding to the call of the PMOI Social Headquarters inside the country (February 20, 2025), participated in the “Nationwide Fiery Chaharshanbeh Campaign” in at least 134 cities across 31 provinces, setting fire to regime-affiliated centers and symbols.
In addition to Tehran, youth in Tabriz, Maragheh, Urmia, Bukan, Mahmoudabad, Naqadeh, Miandoab, Ardabil, Isfahan, Semirom, Shahreza, Kashan, Golpayegan, Karaj, Mahdasht, Ilam, Bushehr, Bandar Genaveh, Islamshahr, Pakdasht, Damavand, Shahriar, Lavasan, Borujen, Lordegan, Birjand, Torbat-e Jam, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Sabzevar, Mashhad, Neyshabur, Abadan, Ahvaz, Izeh, Khorramshahr, Dezful, Shushtar, Shush, Zanjan, Damghan, Semnan, Iranshahr, Khash, Zabol, Zahedan, Jahrom, Darab, Shiraz, Marvdasht, Takestan, Qazvin, Qom, Divandarreh, Saqqez, Marivan, Sirjan, Kerman, Kahnuj, Eslamabad-e Gharb, Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah, Kangavar, Dehdasht, Gachsaran, Kordkuy, Gorgan, Gonbad-e Kavus, Rasht, Rudsar, Lahijan, Someh Sara, Aligudarz, Borujerd, Khorramabad, Amol, Babol, Babolsar, Sari, Qaemshahr, Gorgan, Arak, Saveh, Bandar Abbas, Malayer, Hamedan, and Yazd welcomed the spring of freedom with explosions of sound bombs and firecrackers.
Rebellious youth, while setting fire to the ominous images of Khomeini, Khamenei, and Soleimani, chanted slogans such as “Death to Khamenei,” “Curse on Khomeini,” “Hail to Rajavi,” “You are the dictator; I am Arash—Fire is the answer to fire,” “The uprising in 1404; the regime is finished,” “Death to the oppressor, be it the Shah or the Leader,” and “Poverty, corruption, and inflation—we will continue until overthrow.”
In fear of public protests and actions by youth and Resistance Units, the Deputy for Social Affairs and Crime Prevention of the Judiciary announced: “The last Wednesday night of the year is approaching; according to the law, anyone who disrupts order and public peace through noise, commotion, or unconventional actions will be sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.” (Jam-e Jam website, March 17, 2025).
The head of the Greater Tehran SSF announced: “So far, 8,270,000 units of explosive materials have been confiscated, of which 1,080,000 are classified as high-risk.” He warned, “If anyone throws grenades or firecrackers at police officers or their vehicles during Chaharshanbeh Suri, they will be arrested, a judicial case will be opened against them, and they will remain in police custody until the end of Nowruz.” (Quds Force-affiliated Tasnim News Agency, March 18, 2025).
The regime deployed and stationed its suppressive forces in various areas of Tehran, including Tehranpars, Fatemi Street, Enqelab Street, Vali-e Asr Square, and Haft-e Tir Square, in an attempt to prevent youth from gathering and participating in protests.
Additionally, suppressive SSF forces in cities such as Izeh, Mashhad, Khorramabad, Ahvaz, Zanjan, and Rasht used tear gas to disperse the people and prevent their gatherings.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI)
19 March 2025