Iranians on Thursday marked Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, expressing hopes for regional stability and a brighter future. Nowruz, meaning "a new day," marks the arrival of the new year and spring in Iran. This year, it fell on March 20. In interviews with China Central Television (CCTV), many Iranians shared their hopes for a better economic outlook and greater regional peace in the year ahead. Many Iranians denounced U.S. and Israeli military operations targeting civilians in Yemen and the Gaza Strip, urging the international community to intervene and halt such actions to ease Middle East tensions. Shotlist: Tehran, Iran - March 17, 2025: 1. Various of market, residents selecting goods; 2. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Fatima, resident (full name not given): "I wish for the sanctions to be lifted and that Iran can coexist peacefully with all countries. I hope for positive development in Iran, lower inflation, and that everything will be better."; 3. Various of market, residents, decorations for new year on sale; 4. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Jawad, resident (full name not given): "One of the core tenets of the U.S. foreign policy is its unlimited and uncritical support for Israel, which inevitably leads to insecurity in the region. The U.S. stance is not logical and has a destructive effect on the region."; 5. SOUNDBITE (Farsi) Hussein, resident (full name not given): "Where is the United States located and where is the Middle East located? Their locations are vastly apart. It seems to me that the U.S. is seeking to take on the role of the world policeman, imposing its rule on other countries."; FILE: Iran - March 2024 6. Various of Iranian national flags, traffic; FILE: Iran - Date Unknown 7. Iranian national flags. [Restriction - No access Chinese mainland/Al-Arabiya/Persian language TV Stations outside Iran. Strictly No Access BBC Persian/VOA Persian/Manoto TV/Iran International TV]