Iran's Khamenei calls for sapling-planting to honor war dead, defy 'enemies'
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Tehran: Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei urged Iranians to plant saplings honoring victims of U.S.-Israeli strikes, symbolizing prosperity, hope, and resistance against "ruthless enemies."
In a message marking the Islamic Republic's 47th anniversary and "Sizdah Bedar" (Nature Day) on April 2—the end of Nowruz holidays—Khamenei lauded public heroism against U.S. and Israeli brutality, which he said even scarred Iran's environment Xinhua news agency reported, quoting IRNA.
He called for nationwide tree-planting with state institutes from Nature Day through spring's end on June 21.
The appeal follows February 28 U.S.-Israeli strikes on Tehran and other cities, killing former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, top commanders, and civilians. Iran retaliated with missile and drone barrages on Israel and U.S. assets in the Middle East.
President Masoud Pezeshkian told Americans in an open letter that Iranians hold no grudge against them, only their government, which wages war on Iran as Israel's "proxy" Xinhua news agency reported.
"The Iranian people harbour no enmity toward other nations, including the people of America, Europe, or neighbouring countries," he wrote, distinguishing governments from citizens amid Iran's history of foreign pressures.
Iran has never pursued aggression, expansion, or domination despite invasions, Pezeshkian stressed, dismissing threat narratives as Israeli ploys to deflect from Palestinian "crimes."
He highlighted U.S. bases encircling Iran, calling recent attacks from them proof of the danger. In response to President Trump's threats against energy infrastructure, he warned of "war crimes" with global fallout.
Israel aims to fight Iran "to the last American soldier and the last American taxpayer dollar," Pezeshkian charged, questioning if "America First" guides U.S. policy. The world faces a choice: confrontation or engagement.
(Inputs from IANS)