Every year, as the spring approaches, Iranians prepare for Nowruz; a holiday that marks a new beginning, light after darkness, and hope after a long winter.

But this year, Nowruz has arrived in Iran under different circumstances, one where the scent of spring is mixed with the smoke of war, and hope and worry stand side by side.

People are waiting for Nowruz; even if there is war and the sound of missiles and air defense systems can be heard. Iranian people believe that this year is more special than in previous years. So, as a sign of hope, they should set Haft-Seen tables and celebrate Nowruz.

In many cities in Iran, despite the tough situation, the New Year atmosphere is still visible. Street vendors sell sabzeh (green sprouts) and gold fish on the side of the street and families try to buy Haft-Seen items like every year.

Tehran is, more than ever, a city of memories these days. Memories of years when the streets were full of laughter, the sound of car horns echoed in the traffic in the run-up to the New Year, and street vendors could not find a place to stand. But now, the emptiness of those days is felt.

What is seen in this city is not just preparation for a celebration; it is a kind of insistence, an insistence on something that is rooted in identity. 

For these people, Nowruz is not just the beginning of the year; it is a kind of reminder that life goes on even in the most difficult circumstances.

War may change many things, but it cannot so easily take away people's traditions. For Iranians, Nowruz is not just a celebration; it is part of their identity and collective memory. It is a moment that reminds them that time goes on and spring always returns, even if winter has been long.

This year, Nowruz may be quieter, perhaps sadder for some families. Some have lost a loved one, some are waiting for good news, and many are anxiously following the news. However, candles are still lit on the Haft-Seen table and children await the moment the New Year shows up.

This is where the power of Nowruz becomes apparent; it reminds people that life does not stop and that hope can be reborn even in the most difficult days.

We have already experienced Nowruz under a hail of missiles during the sacred defense in 1980-88, or the first spring after the victory of the Islamic revolution, when society was faced with a new situation. This year, we are experiencing a new atmosphere, which is not desirable for us, but we have no choice but to live through it.

This year, we will also leave this different Nowruz in our memory box.

This year's Nowruz may not be busy and glamorous. But it is deeper. It is more real and, perhaps, closer than ever to its true meaning, a renewal of hope, even when everything is against it.