According to a statement from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Arfaei died early Wednesday (February 25, 2026), after years of scholarly activity in the field of historical research and the translation of ancient texts, particularly cuneiform script.

Professor Arfaei taught and worked at academic and research centers across the country for many years and was a pioneer in educating and mentoring students in the field of ancient languages.

He was one of the few Iranian experts who dedicated part of his life to translating documents and inscriptions from ancient periods, particularly those written in the Elamite and Akkadian languages.

In particular, Professor Arfaei's name is closely associated with the Persian translation of the Cyrus Cylinder, one of the most important documents of the Achaemenid era.

In recognition of his lifelong scholarly efforts in the field of cultural heritage, he was awarded the Persian Cypress Award, which is presented to influential figures in this field.