Leader appoints Peyman Jebelli as new director of Iran's national broadcaster IRIB

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed Peyman Jebelli as the new head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

In an edict released on Wednesday, Ayatollah Khamenei thanked outgoing IRIB head Abdulali Ali-Asgari for "his tireless and diligent efforts as a faithful and devoted manager" and wished success for Jebelli in his new post.

"I appoint you as the chairman of the [IRIB] organization for a period of five years," Ayatollah Khamenei said in his message to Jebelli, citing his "religious and revolutionary qualifications, long expertise and experience in the management of the IRIB and knowledge of the nature, functions and duties of the national media."

"The national media is a university for raising the level of public awareness and knowledge, and a platform for confronting the hostile waves of distortion and sedition, and a sanctuary for everyone's eyes and hearts to enjoy the effects of beauty and art, and a place to spread hope and joy in the public space of the country," the Leader said in his message.

"Cultural guidance, strengthening the spirit and sense of national and revolutionary identity, promoting the Islamic-Iranian way of life, and increasing national solidarity are among the priorities that should be achieved by promoting human capital and quality improvement of programs with innovation and round-the-clock efforts. Insha'Allah (God willing)."

Jebelli, born in 1967 in Tehran, is a university professor and a leading expert and analyst on political matters.

He served as the chief executive officer of the IRIB World Service as per a directive issued on August 14, 2016.

The new IRIB chief was born and raised in a religious family in the northern Tehran neighborhood of Shemiran, and speaks fluent Arabic apart from Persian.

During his years of service in the IRIB, Jebelli has tried various scopes of journalism and television news broadcasting and, thanks to his academic education and extensive practical experience, has developed into a veteran expert and manager with deep professional and executive insight of news and broadcasting.

Jebelli received his master's degree in Islamic sciences and propagation from the Imam Sadiq University of Tehran in 1993, and graduated from the same university in 2004 with a PhD degree in culture and communications.

He has held a number of positions in the IRIB political department, and taught and trained many students for various positions at Iran’s public broadcaster.

Prior to his appointment as the head of the IRIB World Service, he was a faculty member at IRIB University, editorial director of news at IRIB TV2 channel, general director of domestic news at IRIB News Agency, general director of news at Iran’s Arabic-language Al Alam Television news network, as well as director of Al Alam TV's office in Beirut.

Jebelli has also served as the media director of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council under its former secretary Saeed Jalili.

Moreover, he has been the CEO of Press TV, Iran’s 24-hour English television news network. 

Also a diplomat, he served as Iran’s ambassador to Tunisia from 2011 to 2014.

He played a crucial role in launching Iran Press video news agency, Al Alam Syria TV station as well as Internet television channels Hausa and Press TV French.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk