An Iranian woman buys a watermelon in downtown Tehran on December 21, 2013, in preparation for the annual festival of Yalda, an ancient Zoroastrian rite held on the longest night of the year or the beginning of winter. The rite, which marks the victory of Good over Evil, is still celebrated by most Iranians even though Islam replaced Zoroastrianism as the official religion in the seventh century. Iranians traditionally spend Yalda at home with their families, reciting poetry and feasting on fruits and nuts.

Raise in minimum wage not enough for Iranian workers

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An Iranian woman buys a watermelon in downtown Tehran on December 21, 2013, in preparation for the annual festival of Yalda, an ancient Zoroastrian rite held on the longest night of the year or the beginning of winter. The rite, which marks the victory of Good over Evil, is still celebrated by most Iranians even though Islam replaced Zoroastrianism as the official religion in the seventh century. Iranians traditionally spend Yalda at home with their families, reciting poetry and feasting on fruits and nuts.

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