Donald Trump Was Right: Iranians Do Play With Fire · Global Voices
Mahsa Alimardani

Tehran-based photographer Fatemeh Behboudi captures Chaharshanbeh Suri celebrations on the streets of Tehran on March 16, 2016. See more on her Instagram page.
The ancient Iranian festival of fire, known as Chaharshanbe Suri, proves that Donald Trump was absolutely right — albeit unwittingly — when he accused Iran of “playing with fire” last month.
In early February, U.S. President Trump fired off a handful of incendiary tweets about Iran, following his executive order to ban Iranian citizens (among others) from traveling to the United States.
Iran is playing with fire – they don't appreciate how “kind” President Obama was to them. Not me!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2017
Trump was criticizing former President Barack Obama's policy of rapprochement with Iran, which reached a deal on nuclear weapons and removed several sanctions against Iran.
In late January, Iran test-fired a missile that traveled 600 miles, apparently with the aim of gauging President Trump's commitment to the promises in the Iranian nuclear deal, which provided some room for Iran to conduct missile tests.
Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile.Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2017
Online, Trump's use of the phrase “playing with fire” amused many familiar with Chaharshanbe Suri, the “Persian Festival of Fire,” which Iranians traditionally celebrate on the eve of the last Wednesday before the Iranian New Year.
Trump is wrong about Iran playing with fire, Chaharshanbe Suri isn't until March. ? ??
— Alkaline Trejo (@alkalinetrejo) February 3, 2017
@realDonaldTrump hey mothafucker do you know chaharshanbe suri?
We don't play , we jump it.
— × گنگستر بنگ گستر × (@EmiroSharif) February 3, 2017
For once in your life you tweeted the truth! We DO play with fire! It's called Chaharshanbe Suri & it's a beautiful ancient tradition. ? ?? https://t.co/Np6WmClBG4
— تینا (@tinahassannia) February 4, 2017
The Iranian calendar starts at the beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, on March 21. The New Year's celebration, however, gets underway the evening before the last Wednesday of the year, when people build bonfires and jump over the flames, while setting off fireworks.
As revelers hop over the fire, they say:
زردی من از تو ک سرخي تو از من
Take away my yellow, give me your red.