TEHRAN – On Monday, prominent Iranian officials offered condolences over the Martyrdom of Mohammad Afif, the head of Hezbollah’s media relations, while condemning Israel for his assassination.

Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf expressed deep sorrow over the loss of another dedicated media activist, accusing the Israeli regime of continuing its violent campaign against innocent media personnel and journalists amidst an unjust war against the vulnerable populations of Palestine and Lebanon. 

He praised Afif’s “fearless presence on the battlefield” and his unwavering commitment to supporting the resistance of the oppressed people of Lebanon. 

The Iranian official expressed strong confidence that the legacy of Hezbollah media relations chief Mohammad Afif will be upheld by a new generation of media activists. 

Afif, along with several colleagues, was killed during an Israeli airstrike on the headquarters of the Lebanese Baath Party in Beirut on Sunday. 

The incident marked the second assassination attempt on him in two months, as he previously survived an assault on the Hezbollah media office several weeks ago. 

In response to the assassination, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that Afif's martyrdom will not deter Hezbollah's mission, emphasizing that the actions of the Israeli regime will not stifle the global resonance of Hezbollah's message of resistance. 

In a statement, the IRGC declared that Afif’s successors would carry on his crucial mission of "instilling fear in the hearts of the Zionists." 

Additionally, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei commemorated Mohammad Afif as a significant figure dedicated to raising awareness and enlightening global public opinion on the injustices and violations perpetrated by the apartheid Israeli regime. 

Baqaei emphasized, “He fought till the last moment of his life to ameliorate the plight of the Lebanese and Palestinian peoples worldwide.” 

The Iranian diplomat noted that Israel has killed over 200 journalists and media personnel in the past year, characterizing these assassinations as a systematic campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing targeting the Palestinian population. 

“These killings are intended to intimidate media organizations and silence reporting on the regime’s atrocities,” Baqaei stated. 

The spokesperson reiterated that international humanitarian law, especially the 1949 Geneva Conventions, prohibits attacks on journalists and media professionals, condemning Afif's assassination as a clear instance of a war crime. 

Baqaei urged the United Nations and the International Court of Justice to hold Israeli officials accountable for these brutal acts. 

Israel is carrying out a ground offensive and extensive air campaign against Lebanon, following a year of intermittent exchanges of fire along the Lebanese border amidst the Gaza war. 

The regime’s offensive against Lebanon has tragically resulted in the martyrdom of at least 3,200 civilians and left more than 14,000 injured.