18.03.2026 02:00
After Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's message to the Iranian people to "celebrate Nowruz freely," the sharing of images of exiled Iranian Queen Farah Pahlavi jumping over a fire sparked controversy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the recent operations against Iran by stating, "So that the Iranian people can freely celebrate Nowruz," while a notable post came from the exiled Iranian Queen (Shahbanu) Farah Pahlavi. Images of Pahlavi jumping over fire in Paris were shared on social media.
AFTER NETANYAHU'S WORDS, EYES TURN TO THE OPPOSITION
In a meeting with the Israeli Defense Minister and senior military officials, Netanyahu stated that the operations aimed to allow the Iranian people to celebrate the Wednesday Suri and Nowruz festivities following the deaths of Iranian National Security High Council Secretary Ali Larijani and the commander of Basij, Gholam Reza Soleimani, in the last 24 hours.
After Netanyahu's statement, "This operation was carried out so that the brave Iranian people can celebrate the Fire Festival (Wednesday Suri). So celebrate! And happy Nowruz! We are watching you," the focus shifted to the Iranian opposition.
FIRST FOOTAGE FROM FARAH PAHLAVI
Living in exile since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Farah Pahlavi shared a video regarding the Wednesday Suri celebration from her residence in Paris. The footage showed Pahlavi jumping over the fires lit as part of the traditional ritual.
The post quickly gained widespread attention and was heavily shared on social media.
A SYMBOLIC MESSAGE
Experts evaluate that the Wednesday Suri tradition, which is sometimes restricted by official authorities in Iran, has gained a political and symbolic dimension with both the statements made by Israel and Pahlavi's post.
This ritual is an ancient tradition celebrated on the last Wednesday night before Nowruz, representing purification from evils and saying, "Take my illness (redness) to the fire, give me your joy (redness)."