Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, issued a message marking the Persian New Year on March 20,in a written message following his appointment earlier in the month, following the death of his father. 

The younger Khamenei allegedly praised the Iranian public's resilience through three military and security crises in the past year and saying national unity had inflicted defeat on the country's enemies.

The Nowruz address is the most substantive public communication from the new supreme leader since his appointment on March 9, though it was again delivered as a written statement rather than a video or public appearance, leaving questions about his health unresolved.

"In the past year, our dear people experienced three military and security wars. You crushed the coup on 22 Dey, on 22 Bahman you showed once again your opposition to global arrogance and your tirelessness, and on 22 Esfand, which coincided with Quds Day, you struck such a blow that the enemy understood it is not only dealing with missiles, drones, torpedoes and military matters. Iran's front line is far bigger than the enemy's petty and small-minded imagination," Khamenei wrote.

He said the unity among Iranians across religious, intellectual, cultural and political differences had "created a fracture in the enemy."

"This must be considered a special blessing from God Almighty and must be greatly thanked for in word, in heart and in action," he wrote, urging Iranians to preserve and build upon that cohesion.

The message comes as the war enters its 21st day, with Israeli strikes killing the IRGC spokesman overnight, Iran's South Pars gas output halved, and the Trump administration weighing plans to seize Kharg Island. Iran's retaliatory strikes have hit Gulf energy infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.