Celebrating Yalda at the U.S. State Department with Pomegranate Seeds; Iran Will Overcome This 'Dark Period'

Abram Paley, Deputy Special Representative of the United States for Iran, congratulated the people of Iran on the occasion of Yalda Night in a video message on Thursday, December 21. He referred to the significance of 'Yalda' for many people in Iran and around the world, calling it 'a time for joy and celebration.' Expressing regret over the 'gross violation of human rights' in Iran and the ongoing executions, persecution, and imprisonment of dissenters and journalists, he stated: 'We want you to know that the United States supports you and your aspirations for a free and democratic future for Iran.' He continued: 'We are confident that Iran will overcome this dark period and brighter days are ahead.' In another video message, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, along with several other members of the department, celebrated the occasion by demonstrating the proper way to cut a pomegranate on Yalda Night. Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, who accompanied him in the video, referred to 'the long-standing significance of this occasion.' He noted the Yalda tradition and pomegranate as symbols of 'light and goodness' in this celebration, stating: 'For centuries, families in Iran and beyond have gathered to be safe from the harshness of darkness and to celebrate the beginning of winter.' At the end, he, along with several other officials from the State Department, congratulated the people of Iran in Persian on Yalda Night, expressing their anticipation for 'brighter days' during 'the longest and darkest night of the year.' Gohar Eshghi: 'Let us not leave the families of political prisoners and the impoverished alone on Yalda Night.'