Iran International
Iran's Supreme Leader made no reference to the possibility of negotiations with the United States in his annual New Year message. Instead, he reiterated his condemnation of the US for events in Gaza and Yemen.
In his pre-recorded message marking the start of the Iranian year 1404, Khamenei accused the US of responsibility for the war in Gaza, saying, “America, undoubtedly, bears responsibility for this disaster.”
He said that the attacks occurred either at Washington’s behest or with its approval and declared, “America is also a partner in this crime.” Drawing a parallel to Yemen, he condemned the strikes on civilians as a crime that must be stopped.
Since 1989, after assuming his position, Khamenei has traditionally visited his hometown of Mashhad for Nowruz, delivering a speech at the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Imam of Shia Islam.
These speeches were typically broadcast live on state television. However, for the second consecutive year, Nowruz has coincided with Ramadan, perhaps prompting him to remain in Tehran instead. During the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, he similarly stayed in Tehran and issued pre-recorded messages.
Some observers, however, drew attention to the tense geopolitical conditions in the region and mentioned the possibility that Khamenei preferred to stay
The region's heightened geopolitical tensions raised questions about his decision to choose a safe and protected location.
In his address, Khamenei compared the previous year to 1981, a period of significant turmoil in the history of the Islamic Republic, when it was at war with Iraq.
He described 1403 as a challenging year for the Iranian people, citing major events such as the death of President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash in June and ongoing economic hardships.
In 1980, two years after the Islamic Revolution, Iran faced significant setbacks: territorial losses to Iraq in the southwest, the impeachment of President Abolhassan Banisadr, and the assassinations of President Mohammad-Ali Rajaei and Prime Minister Mohammad Bahonar by the Mujahedeen-e Khalq Organization (MEK).
Since 1998, Khamenei has assigned a theme to each new year in his Nowruz speeches, often focusing on economic issues.
Previous years' themes included 'National Unity,' 'Economic Jihad,' and 'Resistance Economy.' Last year focused on 'Leap in Production with People's Collaboration,' and this year's theme is 'Investment for Production,' as announced in his speech.
Khamenei conceded that the previous year had fallen short of expectations, emphasizing that the economy would be the central focus for the coming year.
He highlighted economic pressures and livelihood difficulties as other key events of the year, while praising the strength of will and spiritual morale of the Iranian people in facing these challenges.
He pointed to the swift presidential election and public aid to Lebanon and Palestine as demonstrations of this resilience.
Khamenei's address, devoid of Nowruz symbols and failing to offer new year greetings to people, highlighted the clear prioritization of religious observance, a theme echoed more boldly in the president's Nowruz message that also focused on Ramadan.
