In a message released on Sunday, Araqchi strongly condemned a terrorist act by the Israeli regime in killing courageous journalists from Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen networks, calling it a blatant attempt to “assassinate the truth” and silence the “voices of those who narrate reality.”
“The martyrdom of Mr. Ali Shoeib, Mr. Mohammad Fatouni, and Ms. Fatima Fatouni, the courageous journalists of Al-Manar and Al-Mayadeen networks, following the terrorist attack by the cowardly army of the Israeli regime, is not only a profound loss for the media community in the region and the world, but also a serious alarm bell for the global conscience,” the Iranian foreign minister said.
“This act, which was clearly a targeted assassination with intentions beyond merely eliminating individuals, constitutes an evident attempt to ‘assassinate the truth’ and silence the voices of those who narrate reality,” Araqchi added.
“The Israeli regime has a long record of targeting media personnel, like its other crimes, and this criminal and deliberate aggression—an explicit violation of international laws and conventions governing the protection of journalists in conflict zones—has, like many global regulations, never been able to restrain the savage nature of this regime. Therefore, the repetition of such crimes clearly indicates the continuation of a hostile approach aimed at restricting freedom of expression,” he warned.
“While strongly condemning this crime and emphasizing the necessity of effective action by the international community to support journalists and ensure accountability for the perpetrators of such attacks, I express my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of the martyrs and their colleagues. There is no doubt that the path these brave journalists took in narrating the truth, and in which they lost their lives, will never be silenced and will continue with even greater determination,” Araqchi stated.