IRAN – FIRE FESTIVAL: Khamenei pictures set on fire, 10 arrested in western city

Tehran: Hit and Run tactics used by youth in Giesha, northwestern Tehran

Frightened, desperate and frustrated security forces not being able to control the city and the youth are trying to create a military atmosphere in Tehran Giesha area, northwestern Tehran. Giesha is an area were mostly educated and higher class residents live. The suppressive security and riot police have been forcing boutiques and stores to close in order to reduce the number of pedestrians in the streets. But youth are breaking this atmosphere by blowing up sound bombs firing rockets, making a mockery of security forces and adding to their frustrations. The youth are using hit and run tactics to avoid arrest.

Tehran youth: It seems like warzone

This is what people in Tehran are saying, 'It seems like warzone.' An eyewitness reporter said on his face book page that Tehran is described as a warzone. It seems that they are enriching uranium in our district. The fire bombs and squibs and rockets are set out on our ally and the adjacent districts. These days it seems like we are in the middle of warzone.

Urumia: people and the youth took the initiatives in their hands despite security presence

Freelance and independent reporters in Urumia, northwestern Iran report that in spite of a heavy security presence scattered throughout the city, people and the youth took the initiatives in their hands and vastly held the Feast of fire ceremony face to face with the security. The huge crowd prevented the security to move and was pinned down in their positions.
Famous streets including Roudaki, Saadi, Azadegan, College and around bazar itself were the scene of the festivities. 

Ahwaz: People & youth brock the security climate of the city and held the Feast of Fire ceremony

Security in Ahwaz was beefed up to prevent any gatherings and festivities. Authorities had threatened the people in advance that any gathering on Tuesday for the fire festival would not be tolerated and perpetrators would be arrested and held in prison until the end of the holidays. Iranian New Year holiday starts from March 20 th, the first day of spring and last 13 days. 
But in spite of all intimidations and warnings, youth and people ignored the threats and took to the streets and held their ceremonies.

Qazvin: Youth clashing with the Security agents

According to eyewitness reports from the scene in the city of Qazvin, northwestern Iran, youth have gathered in Imam Blvd to hold the festival of fire ceremony. They are firing firecrackers and rockets and blowing up sound bombs. Reports say that clashes erupted when the security forces attacked the youth who were celebrating the Feast of Fire Festival. The youth clashed with the guards and pushed them back in some instances.

Hamadan: Security measures by the State Security Guards brought to a failure

In Hamadan, western Iran, the commander of the security called his forces to assign them throughout the city in order to prevent the people from holding their festival of fire. Fearing the spread of the unrest following the festivities, the government has been announcing in days leading to today, the festival of fire to avoid using firecrackers and fireworks. The city hall has also been putting up banners and posters in different neighborhoods warning the people and especially youth to stay home and have a quit ceremony by watching TV. But nothing worked; no intimidations and no warnings could hold the people from going out in force to celebrate the only one day in a year festival of fire. They made a mockery of the suppressive security forces by using firecrackers and squibs and rockets to lighten up the evening skies of the city. 

Yazd, Central Iran: Stationing Security & military forces on the streets

In Yazd, central Iran, government authorities took some preventive measures by stationing their agents on to the streets as the festivities neared. Eyewitnesses reported that that on almost every corner or intersection police and military were stationed. But despite all these failed attempts, the youth, the crowed and the jubilant people are holding the ceremonies by exploding sound bombs and firing squibs and rockets in to the air.

Khorram-abad: dispatching Suppressive State Security Forces to the streets

The government authorities and security apparatus in Khorram-abad who have been unable to keep people in their homes and prevent the fire festival from stretching throughout the city have been bringing their plain cloths agents on to the streets from early hours of morning today Tuesday. This is most visible at Mother Sq. and Boustan intersection, which is the epicenter for these festivities. But nothing has been able to prevent the youth and the people from holding their festival and the sound of explosions and smoke and lights and fire have engulfed the city making a mockery of the security forces.

Shahr-e Ray, Tehran suburb, and southern districts of Tehran are washed with firecrackers and sound of explosions

Southern districts of the capital Tehran including Atabak, Shoosh, Fadaiean, Dowlat-abad and Ray are the scene of active youth participating in Feast of Fire Festival. The youth are exploding sound grenades, squibs and rockets right in front of the powerless security forces celebrating the Fire Festival.

Isfahan: Use of military and security to prevent youth from celebrating

Government has used military reinforcement throughout the city of Isfahan to prevent the fire festival from expanding. But the presence of the military has not been helpful and has not affected the youth from having their festivities. 
The sound of explosions of hand grenades can be heard throughout a vast area of the city, especially in Ahmad-abad, Mardavich and Saadat-abad districts. Baharestan and Foroughi, two major districts of Isfahan has been the epicenter of the festivities. 
The youth are saying NO to the regime by exploding their sound bombs and fireworks.