May 14, 2021
The Iranian Students News Agency (ISNA) says the artillery that fired off rounds to mark the new year caused numerous cracks to open in the Azadi Tower. Most of the cracks are around windows just above the site where the Army placed its artillery pieces. It was the first such ceremonial canon fire in 80 years. Before that, canons were often fired to mark the exact moment of the change in year since few people had clocks or radios to tell them the exact moment the new year began. Tower managers said they were not consulted before the 28th Division arrived with their artillery at the tower, which is widely viewed as the symbol of the capitol city.
