Following the reaction of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic to the Nowruz message from the President of the United States, the head of the Basij Organization emphasized that America "is not considered a friend with a few smiles and a Nowruz message." According to the Basij news agency, Mohammad Reza Naghdi stated on Sunday, March 21, that "today the enemy wants to express its hatred towards the people of Iran through a show of friendship," but the people of Iran "will not be deceived by the congratulatory messages and hypocritical behavior of America." He added, "A government that... continuously passes laws against our country, allocates budget for the overthrow of Iran, and imposes new sanctions every day, is not considered a friend with a few smiles and a Nowruz message." Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, also commented on this during a speech in Mashhad on the same day, stating: "The enemy; meaning the American government, which claims we are not enemies; sent us a Nowruz message and expressed concern for the youth. Setting a Haft-Seen table in the White House is just a trick to deceive children." Barack Obama, the President of the United States, had congratulated all Iranians on the occasion of the Persian New Year 1395 in a Nowruz message, wishing them health and prosperity. According to the U.S. President, even after "decades of distrust" between old foes in the global arena, a new path may open between them and a new relationship may begin. John Kerry, the U.S. Secretary of State, also emphasized in his Nowruz message that the "hand of friendship" from the United States will remain extended to the "people of Iran."
Naghdi: America is not considered a friend with a few smiles and a Nowruz message
Mohammad Reza Naghdi, head of the Basij Organization, stated that America cannot be considered a friend despite sending Nowruz greetings, emphasizing that the Iranian people will not be deceived by such gestures. This reflects ongoing tensions between Iran and the U.S., particularly in light of recent sanctions and political maneuvers.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Iranian officials, including the head of the Basij Organization and the Supreme Leader, dismissed U.S. President Obama's Nowruz message as insincere, citing ongoing U.S. sanctions and policies against Iran. They emphasized that such gestures do not equate to friendship.
- Obama sent a Nowruz message to Iranians, expressing hope for improved relations.
- Iranian leaders criticized the message, pointing to U.S. sanctions and policies as evidence of continued hostility.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The U.S. and Iran have had a fraught relationship since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, with recent tensions focused on nuclear capabilities and regional influence.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%