Mojtaba Khamenei issues Nowruz statement — denies Iran attacked Turkey or Oman, marks Persian New Year

New Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a written statement marking Nowruz (Persian New Year) on Day 21 — one of the most important Iranian national and cultural holidays, coinciding this year with the ongoing war. In the statement, Mojtaba specifically denied that Iran has launched attacks on Turkey or Oman. The specific denial of attacks on Turkey and Oman is diplomatically significant. Both countries have maintained channels of communication with Iran during the war: Turkey has been actively back-channeling between Iran and potential mediators, while Oman has historically served as a trusted back-channel for US-Iran communication (Oman facilitated the 2015 nuclear deal talks). For Mojtaba to specifically name and deny attacks on these two countries suggests they have either reported receiving Iranian fire (stray missiles, drone incidents) or lodged formal protests, and Mojtaba is prioritizing the relationship by publicly clearing Iran. The Nowruz statement itself is a leadership legitimacy exercise: marking the Persian New Year as Supreme Leader reinforces Mojtaba's position at the head of the Islamic Republic, particularly on a culturally resonant day when Iranians are paying attention. The previous statement from Mojtaba on Day 21 called for enemies' 'security to be voided.' His two statements today signal an active, present leadership.