Another sign of new rapprochement with Western culture, or a cynical public relations ploy? Iran's top leaders used Twitter to send Christmas greetings that praised Jesus, continuing a new era of social media outreach by a government previously known for Islamic extremism and political belligerence. "May Jesus Christ, Prophet of love & peace, bless us all on this day. Wishing Merry #Christmas to those celebrating, esp Iranian Christians," said a tweet from the official account of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. In response to Rouhani, the Shiite Muslim country's hardline Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, tweeted back: "No doubt that Jesus #Christ has no less value among Muslims than [he has] among the pious Christians."
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Iranian leaders praise Jesus Christ as a prophet of God's grace
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Tweets from the top leaders are part of new rapprochement with the West
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The social media outreach comes as Iran seeks a nuclear deal to end sanctions
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International sanctions crippling Iran's economy are Iran's motivation
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Iranian leaders have offered @placeholder messages in the past citing the teachings of Jesus, who is considered a prophet in Islam.
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The @placeholder tweets continued the Iranian outreach, this time joined by Khamenei , whose account included multiple tweets that implied Jesus might side with Iran against what he has in the past criticized as Western imperialism.
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The Christmas tweets continued the @placeholder outreach, this time joined by Khamenei , whose account included multiple tweets that implied Jesus might side with Iran against what he has in the past criticized as Western imperialism.
Ali Khamenei
The Christmas tweets continued the Iranian outreach, this time joined by @placeholder , whose account included multiple tweets that implied Jesus might side with Iran against what he has in the past criticized as Western imperialism.
Ali Khamenei
"If #Christ were among us today, he would not spare even a single moment to fight the despotism &global #arrogance," said one of the tweets on @placeholder's account.
Ali Khamenei
@placeholder's messages appeared to be an effort to communicate directly with the international community by the 74-year-old religious cleric.