News - Middle East: Head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Peyman Jebelli, and head of IRIB World Service, Ahmad Noroozi have in separate statements condoled the martyrdom of the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah’s media relations chief.

In a statement on Monday, Jebelli described the martyrdom of Mohammad Afif as “the reward [Afif was conferred upon] for his years-long struggle in the field of media in the face of the Zionist regime.”

“I proudly extend my congratulations and condolences over the martyrdom of Hajj Mohammad Afif,” the head of the Iranian state broadcaster wrote.

He hailed the martyr for “leading the media struggle in the face of the Zionist regime, and shouldering the responsibility for exposing the occupying regime’s crimes, especially the ones that were committed during [the regime’s] recent war [on Lebanon].”

Afif “staged a powerful confrontation against the enemy’s war machine in this field,” Jebelli noted.

Upon martyrdom, Afif joined the ranks of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, he said, referring to Hezbollah’s former secretary general, who was assassinated in Beirut in an Israeli strike in late September.

“We enter a pact with all these martyrs on serving as the supporter and defender of Lebanon’s people and resistance in [our] national media," the IRIB chief stated.

On Sunday night, Hezbollah confirmed that its media relations chief had been assassinated in an Israeli airstrike that hit the headquarters of the Baath political party in the densely populated Ras al-Naba neighborhood in central Beirut.

'Decisive Hezbollah source'

Head of the IRIB World Service, Ahmad Noroozi, also issued a statement to pay tribute to the fallen Hezbollah media chief, commending Afif as “the firm and decisive” source of expression for the Lebanese resistance movement.

Noroozi noted that the martyr used to serve as “the link of solidarity” among various resistance groups and media outlets in the region.

The martyr functioned as “a warrior down the path of right and defender of the blood and life of the extensive resistance front’s oppressed [fighters] in the face of the ruthless Zionist regime and its supporters,” the IRIB World Service chief and CEO of Press TV stated.

He praised Afif for his commendable media management, which was accompanied by profound political insight, eloquence, power of persuasion, and professional journalistic skills.

The martyr deployed the above towards communicating Hezbollah’s message of steadfastness, strength, and faith to the people around the world at the most dangerous phase of the movement’s existence, Noroozi stated.

Afif mobilized Hezbollah’s media forces, leading a front that was equal in might to the one that was being fought by the movement’s courageous fighters on the frontline of the battleground, he added.

The great media commander’s martyrdom, Noroozi said, served to confirm his "commitment to the resistance front and its martyrs," noting that his martyrdom is a loss to the IRIB World Service and its staff members who had the honor of cooperating with him.

Afif's martyrdom came amid the Israeli regime’s carnage in Lebanon which has claimed the lives of more than 3,360 people since last October.

Source: Press TV