Tehran: Former Foreign Minister Mohammad-Javad Zarif has paid tribute to Martyr Kamal Kharrazi, describing him as a pioneer of public diplomacy in Iran's Foreign Ministry and a statesman dedicated to improving the country's image abroad.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, during the unveiling ceremony of a memorial book honoring Kharrazi, Zarif stated that the late diplomat consistently sought to correct international perceptions of Iran. He added that Kharrazi played a key role in introducing public diplomacy to the Foreign Ministry. Zarif emphasized that Kharrazi was deeply concerned with improving Iran's image globally and pursued this effort with determination.

Zarif also described Kharrazi as one of the world's bravest leaders, mentioning that the Iranian nation was mourning his loss and that his absence would be felt in every field in which he had been active. He urged the country to make use of the opportunity created by the sacrifices of Kharrazi and other martyrs to build a better future for coming generations.

At the same event, which was held at the Iran Cultural and Press Institute, Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) CEO Hossein Jaberi Ansari described Kharrazi as 'a symbol of forgotten virtues,' stating that the memorial volume was a modest effort to honor his legacy. Jaberi Ansari noted that Kharrazi embodied qualities increasingly rare in public life, including restraint, a commitment to reading and intellectual growth, and a modest lifestyle rooted in Islamic values.

Jaberi Ansari also highlighted Kharrazi's contribution to IRNA, saying he played a fundamental role in shaping the organization and worked there for nearly a decade. Kharrazi was Iran's former foreign minister and head of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations. He lost his life on April 9, 2026, after succumbing to injuries sustained in an airstrike that hit his Tehran residence on April 1 during the war of aggression the United States and Israel launched against Iran in late February.

The book "Jamal-e Kamal" (Beauty of Kamal), which was unveiled on Sunday, examines the life, character, and career of Kharrazi, with a focus on his work in diplomacy, media, and management. The book was published jointly by the Iran Cultural and Press Institute and IRNA.