Micah Jonah
March 21, 2026
Iran’s newly installed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, is set to deliver a national message marking the start of the Persian New Year, according to state media reports released on Friday.
The address is expected to coincide with the celebration of Nowruz, one of the most important cultural and national events in Iran, observed annually at the beginning of spring. The message traditionally sets the tone for the country’s political and economic direction in the year ahead.
Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ali Khamenei, assumed leadership following a period of heightened regional tensions and internal transition. His upcoming speech will be closely watched both domestically and internationally, especially as Iran remains at the centre of an escalating geopolitical crisis involving the United States and its allies.
State media indicated that the message would be delivered within minutes of the exact moment marking the new year, in keeping with longstanding tradition in Iran, where the Supreme Leader’s Nowruz speech carries symbolic, strategic importance.
The annual address often includes reflections on national resilience, economic priorities, and foreign policy direction. Analysts expect this year’s speech to also address ongoing regional conflicts, economic pressures, and Iran’s strategic posture amid rising tensions in the Middle East.
The development comes as global attention remains fixed on Iran’s role in the broader conflict affecting energy markets, security dynamics, and diplomatic relations across the region.
