Iran cracks down on Nowruz gatherings over anti-government chants

Behrouz Kamalvandi, spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), emphasized Iran's determination to advance its nuclear industry and counter what he described as unjust accusations from Western powers.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran is firm and resolute in asserting its rights," Kamalvandi said in an interview with the AEOI's public diplomacy and information center on Sunday.

He criticized what he called negative propaganda against Iran's nuclear activities, asserting that Iran is subject to the most extensive inspections globally and maintains a transparent program.

He defended Iran's decision to suspend some JCPOA commitments, citing the US withdrawal from the deal in 2018 and the failure of other parties to uphold their obligations.

"Fifteen consecutive IAEA reports confirmed Iran's compliance with its commitments," Kamalvandi said. "We waited a year after the US withdrawal, but ultimately, we exercised our rights."

While Tehran has reduced IAEA inspections since 2021 and in 2023 barred a third of the inspectors, it continues to argue that its nuclear activities are peaceful.

IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi recently said the UN body was willing to assist Iran in proving it was not seeking nuclear weapons.

Kamalvandi warned Western nations that pressuring Iran would be counterproductive. "We hope that Western countries, who have tested Iran many times, have now realized that pressure on the Islamic Republic of Iran is ineffective and may even have the opposite effect," Kamalvandi noted.

"A nation with a history of thousands of years cannot be addressed with force," he added. "We have endured and overcome numerous pressures throughout history, and we will emerge victorious from the current ones."

Kamalvandi highlighted Iran's achievements in nuclear technology, including advancements in reactor and power plant construction, and strengthened relations with countries like China and Russia.

He also pointed to the successful hosting of an international nuclear science and technology conference in Isfahan, attended by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) officials.

Iran has enriched uranium to up to 60% fissile purity, closer to the 90% needed for a bomb.

Iran's uranium stock refined to up to 60% grew by 92.5 kilograms (kg) in the past quarter to 274.8 kg, one of the IAEA reports said. According to an IAEA yardstick, the amount is enough in principle for six nuclear bombs if enriched further.

In a city where theocratic authorities dictate dress codes and public behavior, a parallel universe comes alive after dark—one where music pounds, glasses clink, and young Iranians carve out their own kind of freedom.

“You have to pay some money in advance and reserve your place,” the organizer of a cafe tells us.

“How much?”

“Fifteen million rials ($17). It will be deducted from your table invoice at the end. We also charge each person seven million rials ($8) for the special service.”

Special service. A vague but enticing phrase that means DJ performances, fireworks, and, most importantly, a space where the Islamic government's restrictions on dancing, drinking and mixed-gender gatherings don’t apply.

A city of two faces

By day, Tehran echoes with debates in parliament, where bearded and grey-haired hardliners push for tougher hijab enforcement laws. Police cameras scan the streets, automatically fining women who dare to drive without a headscarf. But by night, in certain corners of the city, a different reality takes shape.

Our night begins with a purchase. Alcohol is banned in Iran, but an underground network ensures that everything from Chivas scotch to homemade Aragh Sagi (Iranian vodka) is readily available—for a price.

Farid, our contact, offers original whiskey bottled abroad for up to 150 million rials ($170) and vodka smuggled into Iran for half that price. "Or you could take my own homemade Aragh Sagi,” he suggests, referring to a type of Iranian moonshine.

Laughing, I ask, “Are you sure we won’t go blind?”

“Bro, I’m not a con. Buy an ethanol test kit online and check it yourself,” he says.

A bottle in a plastic bag is tossed into our car from a passing motorcycle. No words, no exchange. The deal is done for 500,000 rials ($6).

The club behind closed doors

The location is in Saadatabad, one of Tehran’s affluent northern districts. We arrive to find a nondescript door with no sign of activity. No doorbell, just the entrance bears the name of the café-restaurant. Then, from behind a tree, a guard emerges, unlocking the way into a hidden world.

Inside, 300 to 400 people sit shoulder to shoulder. The air is thick with music, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Nearly every table has bottles—of what appears to be mineral water—being discreetly poured into soft drinks.

The DJ takes the mic: “I do hope the day you’re waiting for arrives very soon.” The space erupts in cheers, everyone knowing exactly what he means.

A song dedicated to those killed in the Woman, Life, Freedom protests plays, and the energy shifts—defiant, unbreakable.

Security is tight. Two well-built bodyguards patrol the large saloon with lasers, flashing them on anyone who dares to stand up. “No dancing until 1 AM,” a second DJ announces.

At our table, we order salads, side dishes, and soft drinks. I add a splash of Aragh Sagi. A couple at the next table raises their glasses to us, smiling.

The hours pass in a blur of music, hushed toasts, and fleeting moments of stolen joy. Then, at 1 AM, the lights go out.

The dance begins

A deep bass vibrates through the floor. Strobe lights flash. And suddenly, everyone is on their feet. Girls in tight dresses, men in designer shirts—moving, shaking, celebrating a night that shouldn’t exist.

“No filming,” the DJ warns. “If you want us to host you again, keep your phones down. One video can shut this place down.”

A man beside me leans in, raising his voice over the music. “I just got back from Italy. Even there, you don’t find clubs running this late.”

Another guest scrolls through Instagram, showing us pages of similar cafes holding parties in Fereshteh, Andarzgoo, and Aghdasieh—each promising luxury, secrecy, and freedom.

By 3:30 AM, we are stumbling out, buzzed on more than just alcohol. The bill? Sixty-five million rials (around $75) for a chicken salad, soft drinks mixed with Farid's vodka, and two beef sandwiches. But the cost is irrelevant.

“Let’s do this again next week,” my girlfriend says as we drive home. “It’s expensive, but still cheaper than a weekend in Dubai or Istanbul.”

She’s right. And as I reflect on the years we lost in fear, in silence, I regret not stepping into this world sooner.

This is Tehran. A city where, by day, women are harassed for loose headscarves, but by night, they dance in hidden saloons, reclaiming the freedom they refuse to surrender.

In a recent interview with Iranian news outlet Khabar Online published on Sunday, Abbas Araghchi attributed Iran's refusal to negotiate with the US to historical experience, rather than intransigence.

"It's not stubbornness," he said, "but a matter of expert opinion." He pointed to the Trump administration's withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term in 2018 as a major setback to diplomacy.

Araghchi, who served as a lead negotiator for Iran under the Rouhani administration, defended the original framework of the JCPOA but acknowledged that Iran's nuclear program had advanced considerably since the deal's implementation.

"The JCPOA, in its current form and text, is not viable for us. Our nuclear situation has progressed significantly, and we cannot revert to the previous conditions," he said.

He suggested that the JCPOA could serve as a basis and model for future negotiations, emphasizing the formula of Iran providing assurances about its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. However, he stressed that any new agreement would need to reflect the change in circumstances.

“After the JCPOA's collapse, talks continued indirectly, with EU mediation. We negotiated with the remaining parties, who relayed messages to the US. This persisted during (former president) Raisi's term, including Oman-brokered talks.

“We haven't abandoned negotiations; we're currently in indirect talks with European nations on the nuclear program, aiming for JCPOA-like sanctions relief,” he said, noting that “sanctions are European-held, requiring their engagement with the US... our current tactic is indirect dialogue."

While acknowledging that letters and communications could be part of diplomatic efforts, he also feared that they could be used as tools of pressure and threats.

The choice of the US to use the United Arab Emirates as a channel to deliver a message to Iran was a move the FM said he did not understand. Despite the UAE and Iran re-establishing diplomatic ties in 2022, following the 2016 Saudi embassy crisis that severed their relations for several years, the UAE has not previously participated in US-Iran negotiations.

"Officially, Switzerland has always been the US-Iran channel. Messages, from notes to letters, went through them. Occasionally, Oman helped. It's odd the US used the UAE for Trump's letter. I see no special significance; they simply chose that delivery method," he said.

Araghchi addressed concerns about Iran's regional diplomacy, particularly regarding his visit to Afghanistan. He clarified that Iran had not recognized the Taliban government and that his visit was necessary to discuss critical issues between the two countries.

He also highlighted Iran's efforts to counter US sanctions through regional diplomacy and trade with neighboring states amid the country's economic crisis. In addition to sanctions for Iran's nuclear program, the country has been sanctioned globally for human rights abuses and supporting Russia's war on Ukraine.

On relations with Russia, Araghchi emphasized a principle of "no surprises" and close consultations on regional matters.

Alireza Tangsiri, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, warned on Saturday that "if the enemy commits a foolish act," they will witness how Iranian forces will send them to the depths of hell.

On the sidelines of a visit to Iran's naval forces and underground missile bases in the Persian Gulf region, Tangsiri said the IRGC's combat and offensive units in the Strait of Hormuz never take their eyes off the enemy and maintain the highest level of spiritual and combat readiness.

"If a battle breaks out, rest assured the enemy will be struck from a place they never anticipated."

The US has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen—Iran’s regional allies—since last week. Washington has also warned Tehran to halt its military support for the group, which has been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea since November 2023.

In a rare move on Thursday, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered two aircraft carriers, USS Harry Truman and USS Carl Vinson, to be present in the Middle East next month as tensions rise between Tehran and Washington.

Hegseth ordered the USS Carl Vinson, which has been operating in the Pacific, to start steaming toward the Middle East, and also extended the presence of USS Harry Truman for at least an additional month.

USS Harry Truman has been conducting operations in the Red Sea against Tehran-backed Houthis and was scheduled to begin heading home to Virginia at the end of March.

Regional calls for restraint

On Saturday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart "stressed the need for self-restraint during this critical stage that the region is going through, and not to take steps or make moves that would contribute to fueling the crisis situation in the region," according to Cairo's foreign ministry.

He emphasized the importance of restoring calm and preventing the region from falling into a cycle of violence and escalation. Abdelatty also highlighted the need to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, noting the significant losses to Egypt’s economy due to declining Suez Canal revenues and ongoing regional instability.

Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan also emphasized the necessity of coordination and close interaction among regional countries to prevent the escalation of the crisis, according to Tehran's readout of his call with Iran's top diplomat Abbas Araghchi.

On Friday, the Emirati foreign minister called the current situation deeply concerning and emphasized the need for continued consultations among regional countries to prevent further escalation.

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei on Friday shrugged off warnings of a potential military confrontation with the United States if a nuclear deal was not reached, asserting that any aggression against Tehran will be met with a 'harsh slap'.

The remarks came after US President Donald Trump sent Khamenei a direct letter earlier this month offering negotiations under a limited timeframe. According to Axios, the message included a two-month window to reach a new nuclear agreement, paired with a warning of consequences should Iran further expand its nuclear program.

Ahmad Khatami, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts and Tehran’s interim Friday prayer leader, made the remarks on Saturday during a speech in Tabriz, asserting that US hostility stems from opposition to Islam itself.

“America does not oppose this or that person,” Khatami said. “Based on verses from the Quran, their problem is with Allah.”

US President Donald Trump has sent a message to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, demanding a new nuclear agreement within two months or face consequences if Iran expanded its program. Trump has said several times that the Islamic Republic should never obtain nuclear weapons.

The letter was described as firm in tone and was reportedly shared in advance with close US allies, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Tehran has acknowledged receiving the letter but has not commented publicly on its contents.

Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on Friday that Iran used indirect channels to respond after the US president sent the letter.

“I’m not at liberty to talk about the specifics,” Witkoff said in an interview released on The Tucker Carlson Show. “But clearly through a, you know, back channels, through multiple countries and multiple conduits, they've reached back out.”

Khatami also warned that Washington’s broader goal was to “destroy the religion that has come alive in the region,” but insisted, “they will never achieve this dream.”

Khatami concluded by linking his call to Iran’s revolutionary ethos, saying Iranians “have never grown tired of resisting arrogance," referring to the United States.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on Friday dismissed pressure for direct talks and emphasized Iran’s focus on deterrence. “Anyone who commits villainy against the Iranian people will be struck with a harsh slap,” he said.