WASHINGTON, DC / TEL AVIV — In an atmosphere of heightened tension and threat of war, newly released messages from the leaders of America and Israel address the Iranian people on the occasion of the ancient Persian New Year holiday Norouz, meaning “new day”.

In his fourth annual Norouz message as President, a conciliatory Barack Obama focused attention on the Islamic Republic’s “electronic curtain” imposing widespread censorship and restricting internet, satellite and cell phone access. “There is no reason for the United States and Iran to be divided from one another,” he said.

Israeli President Shimon Peres, who taped messages in both English and Hebrew, mainly lectured and issued ultimatums to Iran. “If you won’t hate, you won’t be hated”, said Peres. “If you won’t threat, you won’t be threatened.”

Citing an “existential threat” to its existence, Israel has recently stated that it is nearing the point at which it must decide whether or not to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. “Bomb will make you great?”, asked Peres. “...Bombs will make you happy? Whom do you want to kill? What for?” One of the largest military powers in the world, Israel has been in possession of a nuclear weapon arsenal for decades, though it refuses to confirm or deny this.

During his annual Norouz speech in Tehran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reiterated his regime’s longstanding disavowal of nuclear weapons, and warned that any attack on Iran would be responded to with equal measure.

A February poll conducted by the University of Maryland found that only 19% of Israelis would support a unilateral attack on Iran by Israel.

President Barack Obama on the 1953 Coup in Iran