Press TV journalist Mahan Abedin has passed away in his home in Tehran days after he tested positive for the coronavirus.
Abedin, 45, tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. He died on Friday night.
His test result said he was probably infected with the more deadly Delta variant of the virus.
Messages of condolences and tribute poured in by people who voiced shock and disbelief over his death.
Abedin was an Iranian-born British journalist, writer and analyst of Iranian and Middle Eastern politics as well as Islamic movements and ideologies.
Press TV's journalist Mahan Abedin has passed away.
— Press TV (@PressTV) August 21, 2021
The seasoned staff member died of coronavirus.
Press TV offers sincere condolences to his family and friends.
You will be sadly missed, dear Mahan. pic.twitter.com/y7bmeJi3pq
He initially made contributions to Press TV from the network’s London bureau, and four years ago, he joined Press TV headquarters in Tehran, appearing on the network’s debate shows, and weekly programs such as the Economic Divide.
His strong think-tank background included stints at the Washington-based Jamestown Foundation and the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses in New Delhi.
Abedin also regularly appeared on international broadcasting media, including Al Jazeera English, to comment on the latest developments in Iranian politics.
Very sad day for @PressTV crew as we lost on of our best colleagues, Mahan Abdein, because of #COVID19. It is a big loss for us. May Allah bless his soul. Keep him in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/LTggch3n3i
— Ahmad Noroozi (@ANoroozee) August 21, 2021
He authored “Iran Resurgent: The Rise and Rise of the Shia State” and co-edited “Unmasking Terror: A Global Review of Terrorist Activities.”
The Tehran-based journalist also made contributions to numerous publications, including the Beirut-based Daily Star and Asia Times.
He gained his MSc in Political Theory from the London School of Economics in 2000.
According to one of his colleagues at Press TV, Abedin had a tough childhood in downtown Oxford, England, where he had lived since he was 10 and attended state schools filled with “bullies and hooligans.”
“One time he was shot and another time he was stabbed there,” Mohammad Taghi Mohanna, the former chief editor of Press TV website’s UK Desk, said. “Nevertheless, he managed to achieve the highest academic accomplishments.”
Utterly gutted to hear about the passing away of our friend and colleague @MahanAbedin. He had contracted Covid-19 a few days ago. A big loss to journalism fraternity in Iran. Plz take this goddamn virus seriously.
— Syed Zafar Mehdi (@mehdizafar) August 21, 2021