Destitute and at war, Iran surrenders to a grim Persian New Year
TEHRAN — In typical times, Nowruz is a much-anticipated moment of hope across Iran. Preparations for the Persian New Year begin days in advance, with people spring-cleaning their home — “shaking the house,” as the expression goes — or buying new clothes and furniture. Tehran’s streets burst with shoppers perusing markets for flowers, painted eggs and confections…