“If national production is accelerated, many problems will be resolved,” said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, giving the new year the slogan ‘Support for Iranian Products.’
While again laying blame for the anti-government protests on “enemies” of Iran, Khamenei conceded that the largest concern in the country is “the issue of the economy and the problems surrounding the people’s livelihood.”
Days of protests rocked Iran late last year, sparked primarily by economic problems and high unemployment rates.
Iranian authorities blamed outside players, namely the US and Saudi Arabia operating out of Erbil, for instigating the unrest that turned deadly as forces cracked down on the protesters and arrested hundreds. The majority of those arrested were under the age of 25.
In his Newroz message, Khamenei extended a special greeting to the youth “who engender hope and pioneer the national movement of the country.”
President Hassan Rouhani hailed Iranian unity in the face of efforts of its enemies to break up the nation, but acknowledged “there are still many problems remaining.”
He pledged to decrease unemployment and fight poverty and reiterated the Supreme Leader’s focus on domestic production.
“The new year is the year of investment and production. We must all attempt to increase production. Our power will be alongside our production and it is our entrepreneurs who can take significant steps in the new year,” Rouhani stated.
Addressing the youth, he asked them to “continue working on the path of making the country proud,” stressing the importance of pride in Islam and the Iranian nation. And in return, he promised his government’s commitment to “the employment, vitality and freedom for the young generation, and their continued access to information,” saying he would increase transparency over the next year.
Newroz is celebrated across Iran. In recent years, Kurds in the northwest of the country have begun to revive Kurdish traditions in their Newroz celebrations. At least six people have been accused of spreading anti-regime propaganda during these events.
Newroz celebrations were held in Kurdish cities on Tuesday, however, with people donning traditional clothing and lighting fires, under the eyes of security forces, the Iranian Kurdish party PDKI reported.
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