TEHRAN, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Friday stressed that the recent attacks on parts of Türkiye and Oman were not carried out by the Iranian armed forces or its allies.
He made the remarks in a message to extend congratulations on the arrival of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, and Nowruz, the beginning of the Iranian new year that falls on March 21, according to a statement published on his website.
Khamenei said Iran has appropriate relations with both Türkiye and Oman, warning about Israel's "deception" of resorting to "false flag" operations to cause division between Iran and its neighbors.
He added such operations may be carried out in other countries too.
He highlighted the importance the country attaches to its relations with neighbors, and called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to establish better relations with each other, voicing his readiness to take the necessary measures to that end.
The Iranian leader also emphasized the need to enhance citizens' living standards and the nation's infrastructure, with focus on welfare and wealth creation for the public, while declaring the new year as the "year of resistance economy in light of national unity."
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-supreme leader, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the Middle East. ■
