Before the pandemic, domestic travel revenue accounted for an estimated $1.2 billion over the holiday. Last year as Nowruz approached, the country of 83 million had become a global epicenter of the coronavirus. The virus coursed across Iran as heads of shrines called on pilgrims to keep coming and authorities dismissed alarm over rising deaths. Many in Iran find the seasonal symbols on their Nowruz tables in increasingly short supply. The U.S. insists that Iran come back into compliance with the nuclear accord first.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 20, 2021 18:13 UTC