Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani in a message on the occasion of the arrival of the New Year congratulated his counterparts in 39 countries across the world.

Iran's defense minister said in his message "While we step in the year 2024, we are witnessing the continuous genocide, war crimes and the brutal killing of children and the oppressed people in Gaza by the Zionist regime in the last months of 2023 that hurts the sentiments of all freedom seekers in the world".

He expressed hope for the establishment of a ceasefire and sending humanitarian aid to the oppressed people of Gaza, while deploring wrath at the Zionist regime's actions.

He also wished for a year and full of peace, justice, freedom, spirituality, morality and progress for mankind in the light of God's blessings.

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