Iran's Journalist Union chief condemns arrest of Nasser al-Lahham

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
8 Jul 2025 05:51

Widespread outrage follows the Israeli arrest of Al Mayadeen's Nasser al-Lahham, as the Iranian Journalist Union denounces media repression.

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Head of Iran's Journalists Union, Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, speaks to Al Mayadeen. (Archive)

The arrest of Al Mayadeen’s bureau chief in occupied Palestine, Nasser al-Lahham, has drawn widespread condemnation across the region and internationally, with mounting calls for action to protect journalists from Israeli violations.

Speaking during Al Mayadeen, head of the Iranian Journalists Union, Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, described the arrest as a reflection of “Israel’s failure to control the narrative,” noting that Tel Aviv is “suffering a clear setback in shaping its media story” as the Palestinian and Arab narrative gains more ground.

Shamsolvaezin pointed out that dozens of Arab and foreign journalists have been arrested by Israeli occupation forces in recent months simply for reporting stories that challenge the official Israeli version. “Nasser al-Lahham, this great Resistance journalist, will become a symbol of victory against this campaign,” he said.

He stressed that “Israel has failed to construct a coherent narrative—whether on Gaza or the West Bank—and its media collapse is mirrored on the battlefield and in the streets.”

Iran's Foreign Ministry condemns al-Lahham's arrest

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also officially condemned al-Lahham’s arrest, calling it a blatant violation of press freedom and human rights. Tehran expressed hope that international pressure could help secure his release.

Shamsolvaezin further called on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and journalists’ unions in Arab countries, particularly in Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt, to take a firm stance, warning that “silence is no longer acceptable in the face of systematic attacks on journalists and media institutions.”

Iran disrupted Israeli air defenses during the 12-Day War

On the broader regional front, Shamsolvaezin shed light on Iran’s response to the recent 12-Day War with "Israel," revealing that Tehran launched its most advanced cyberattacks during the final 48 hours of the confrontation. The operations, he said, caused significant disruptions to Israeli air defense systems.

“Iran’s cyber and electronic warfare capabilities surprised the Israelis, who underestimated the breadth of Iran’s missiles, drones, and digital warfare tools,” he stated.

According to him, five out of six missiles launched by Iran on the final day hit their targets with precision, marking a qualitative leap in Iran’s strategic deterrence. Iran demonstrated remarkable accuracy, which, Shamsolvaezin argued, signals that “Iran is preparing for a phase more serious than the past 12 days of fighting.”

Iran enters a stage of nuclear ambiguity

He also revealed that Iran has entered a phase of “strategic ambiguity” regarding its nuclear program, noting that several EU foreign ministers have reached out to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to request restraint, specifically not to deploy the Kheibar Shekan 2 missiles.

Touching on broader geopolitical dynamics, Shamsolvaezin said, “Israel fears Iran’s potential to lead the Islamic world toward the liberation of Palestine.” He noted that some Arab leaders have privately informed Washington of potential mass protests against Israel if its aggression continues.

Given its recent setbacks, “Israel will likely avoid direct attacks on Iran in the near future,” he predicted, adding that Tel Aviv may instead adopt a strategy of low-intensity, continuous violations, admitting its failure to establish a meaningful deterrence.

Shamsolvaezin concluded by warning that Western powers and “Israel” are advancing a strategy aimed at fragmenting Iran into seven regions, calling it a direct continuation of the historic “Ben-Gurion Plan.”