Iran’s president has, in separate messages, congratulated several heads of state on the arrival of Nowruz, which marks the start of the Persian New Year and is celebrated in many countries.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman says a number of Iranian border guards being held by Pakistan-based terrorists have been released.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei says “boosting domestic production” is the pivotal issue of the Persian New Year.

People in Iran and a number of other countries are celebrating the beginning of the New Persian Year, historically known as Nowruz.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman has expressed Tehran’s support for the legal transition of power in Kazakhstan.

Just days ahead of the Persian New Year or Nowruz, Iranian people from all walks of life begin to make home-made cookies as part of a traditional custom.

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi has dismissed as unfounded a report on Iran’s role in hacking the mobile phones of some Israeli officials, saying the Zionist regime’s officials have grown accustomed to spreading lies about Iran on a daily basis.

Samira Shabani is the first helicopter pilot in Iran, with two years' experience of flying aircraft. She believes flying a chopper is more difficult than flying a plane.

The Persian New Year or Nowruz is celebrated in a wide range of ways in different cities of Iran as there are many different ethnic groups and a great cultural diversity across the country. However, there are also some Nowruz customs that are the same among all the people living in Iran.

Iranian people in different parts of the country mark the eve of the last Wednesday of the Persian year by holding various festivities.