Nowruz 2026: Why this year's Persian New Year celebrations could be different
- Published
Nowruz - or Persian New Year - is one of the oldest festivals in the world and is celebrated by millions of people around the globe.
It marks the start of spring and is about hope and new beginnings.
Originating in ancient Persia - now Iran - over 3,000 years ago, it's marked with lively celebrations including family gatherings, fireworks and special meals.
But this year's Nowruz will be different for many of the people celebrating.
Read on to find out more.
War in the Middle East
Smoke rises after an airstrike in Tehran
On 28 February, a war started in the Middle East between the USA and Israel, and Iran.
It started with the United States and Israel launching air strikes against Iran, which in return fired missiles at Israel, and at other countries in the region with links to the US.
After strikes landed in cities across Iran, the country's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 40 years, was killed.
Iran retaliated with ongoing attacks on Israel and on other neighbouring countries that have ties to the US - including Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
Anna Foster answers your questions on the US-Israel war with Iran
In Iran, the days leading up to Nowruz would usually be a busy time with streets and markets crowded with shoppers buying sweets and nuts for guests ahead of the celebrations.
But this year the streets are quiet, with people sheltering at home to stay safe from attacks.
"It doesn't feel like the run-up to Nowruz." one man told BBC News.
It's not just people in Iran and the Middle East whose Nowruz will be affected.
There are also millions of Iranians living in other countries around the world whose usual lively celebrations may feel different because of their connection to the country.
13-year-old Ava lives in the UK, but has family in Iran.
What is Nowruz?
A boy and his Mum decorate their home for Nowruz
Nowruz, which roughly translates as "New Day", happens every year at the spring equinox, when the day and night are equal length.
The date of Nowruz varies between the 19th and 21st of March.
It is celebrated by lots of people across the Middle East, including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and many other countries around the world.
Persians, Parsees, Kurds, Armenians, Azerbaijanis, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Uzbeks and many more cultures celebrate this special occasion and have their own traditions surrounding it.
A haft sin arrangement displaying 7 symbolic items.
Just like Christmas, Eid and many other celebrations, Nowruz includes family gatherings and parties with lots of special food.
One of the special dinners is haft-sin where seven items starting with the letter 'S' in Persian are laid out - these include apples, garlic, vinegar and a sweet pudding which are displayed on a table.
In the build up to Nowruz people celebrate by jumping over burning fires.
This custom is said to burn away negative things from the past so you can start fresh for spring.
The Nowruz holidays last thirteen days. On the thirteenth day of the New Year, Iranians leave their houses to enjoy nature and picnic outdoors, as part of the Sizdebedar ceremony.
Families also sometimes play pranks and jokes on each other.
