TEHRAN — Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has extended Nowruz greetings to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and the Iranian people in a message marking the start of the Iranian year 1405, which begins on March 20, expressing confidence that Iran will courageously overcome its challenges, including the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war against the country.

“As the new year begins, Iran continues to confront difficult external challenges with bravery,” Lukashenko said in his message to Pezeshkian.

He added, “I am confident that the wise people of Iran, drawing on the invaluable experience they have gained over the centuries, will bravely overcome all hardships and continue on their chosen path of preserving independence and sovereignty.”

The message is seen as a sign of the growing partnership between Iran and Belarus, two nations that have increasingly deepened ties in recent years despite facing separate Western sanctions. Both countries have sought to bolster cooperation in areas such as defense, industry, trade, and technology. In March 2023, Iran and Belarus signed a comprehensive roadmap for bilateral cooperation aimed at expanding political and economic relations. The two countries have also pursued joint military exercises and expressed mutual support on international platforms, including within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).