Tehran, April 2 (NationPress) Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has urged the Iranian populace to engage in planting saplings as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the recent US-Israeli strikes. This initiative serves as a beacon of hope, prosperity, and a national stand against perceived enemies.

In a statement made on Wednesday, coinciding with the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Khamenei highlighted the upcoming celebration of Sizdah Bedar, or Nature Day, which marks the conclusion of the Nowruz festivities on April 2, as reported by Xinhua via the official IRNA news agency.

Khamenei acknowledged the bravery of the Iranian citizens in their battles against the United States and Israel, asserting that these ruthless foes exhibit unrestrained brutality, even inflicting harm on Iran's environment through their assaults.

He encouraged communities across Iran's cities and villages to collaborate with relevant state organizations to continue the tree-planting campaign from Nature Day until the arrival of summer on June 21.

On February 28, Israel and the United States executed coordinated attacks on Tehran and several Iranian cities, resulting in the deaths of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, alongside senior military figures and civilians. In retaliation, Iran launched extensive missile and drone strikes targeting US and Israeli interests in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed that the Iranian people do not harbor animosity toward American citizens, placing the blame on the US administration for acting as a proxy for Israel.

In a letter directed to the American populace, Pezeshkian elaborated on Iran's stance regarding the ongoing conflict with the US and Israel, as reported by the Xinhua news agency. He stated, "The Iranian community holds no hostility towards other nations, including the American people, Europeans, or neighboring countries," asserting that despite facing numerous foreign interventions and pressures throughout their history, Iranians have always made a distinction between governing bodies and their citizens.

Pezeshkian reaffirmed that Iran has never pursued aggression or colonialism in its modern history, despite enduring occupations and invasions by global powers.

He characterized the portrayal of Iran as a threat as a narrative constructed by Israel to distract from its actions against the Palestinians.

Pezeshkian underscored the significance of the US military presence around Iran, emphasizing that ongoing US actions from these bases illustrate the real threats posed by such a military footprint.

In reaction to US President Donald Trump's warnings of potential large-scale strikes on Iranian energy installations, Pezeshkian stated that targeting essential infrastructure directly impacts the Iranian populace, branding such acts as war crimes with repercussions reaching beyond Iran's borders.

He asserted that the United States has entered into conflict with Iran as a proxy for Israel, driven by the latter's interests, adding that Israel aims to engage Iran "to the last American soldier and the last taxpayer dollar" in pursuit of its illegitimate goals.

Pezeshkian posed a critical question: "Is 'America First' genuinely a priority for the US government today?" He concluded by stating that the world stands at a crossroads, faced with the choice of confrontation or engagement.