Wednesday 15 March was the last Wednesday of the year on the Iranian calendar for the year 1385 [21 March 2005 - 20 March 2006]. This day is traditionally celebrated in Iran with outdoor events such as picnics. The day is known as chahar shanbeh suri 'Wednesday Outside'. It is a time when Iranians do what Americans do on the 4th of July--play with fireworks. This can be a painful affair, and every year there are major mishaps, especially among teenagers. Severe burns and blinded eyes are not uncommon. In a telephone report from Paris, journalist Morteza Lotfi told PARS TV News:

"The Wednesday Outside celebration lasted until the middle of the night last night. Four people were killed, about 1,000 were injured and hundreds were arrested. Today the Islamic Republic's government news agency admitted that citizens welcomed the new year by exploding various types of fireworks and noise grenades in the parks and in every neighborhood in Tehran. Traffic was severely impeded by the crowds in the streets and almost all of the shops and markets in Tehran were closed. Riot police were stationed in Tehran's various public squares and they clashed with youth gatherings of all kinds and demonstrations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Despite the heavy police police presence youth used every opportunity to sing the anthem 'Ey Iran'.

"The fear and anxiety of the forces of oppression converted these gatherings into demonstrations against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The riot police attacked on sight every youth gathering in the streets and broke them up. It was reported that in Tehran 841 persons were injured and two were killed. This was just in Tehran and does not include the other municipalities. Two people were killed in the provinces of Kermanshah and Bandar Abbas. Agence-France Presse reported that five people were killed in Tehran. News sources reported the arrest of more than 387 persons, of whom 12 were 17 years of age. The police said those arrested will remain in detention until the end of the month of Farvardin [20 April].

"The police admitted there were clashes between youth and police but they gave no explanation as to the nature of these clashes. The chief at police headquarters said today that more than 50,000 neighborhood guards were used along with the police to provide security. Last night more than 1,000 students at Amir Kabir Industrial University celebrated Wednesday Outside by singing the anthem 'Ey Iran' and jumping over fires.

"In the city of Ahvaz there were clashes between the Islamic Republic's oppressor agents, the youth and the people, and there were 37 injuries. News sources report from the Province of Khuzestan that after the implementation of strict regulations by the Islamic Republic's oppressor forces and the restrictions on public activity, youth ignored the restrictions, poured into the streets, chanted slogans against the Islamic Republic and engaged in celebration and merriment. The police blocked the streets in [Shian] Pars and did not allow automobile traffic. Despite this the people of Ahvaz held a vigorous celebration of Wednesday Outside. In the Province of Semnan 367 persons and in the Province of Fars 306 persons were arrested by the forces of oppression. In clashes between the people and the forces of oppression in the city of [not audible], 67 persons were injured."