New BBC Persian Channel a "threat" to Iran security

Iran voiced its "dismay" of the launching of the new BBC Persian service by claiming that it was "detrimental" to Iranian national security.

Information minister Gholam-Hossein Mohseni Ejeie told reporters that the launching of the BBC Persian would not be good for national security and Tehran would take “necessary measures” to thwart the plan.

The Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Mohammad-Hossein Safar-Harandi, went one step further by brandishing the activity of the BBC Persian channel as "illegal" in Iran. Mohammad Karim Abedi, a member of the Foreign Policy and National Security Committee of the Iranian parliament, furthermore, added that the BBC was intent on setting up an intelligence network under the cover of journalistic activities to create potential "spies".

A BBC spokesman in London, England, said the corporation is breaking no laws in Iran.

But Safar-Harandi argued, “the BBC has a long history of sowing discord among nations and disturbing their national solidarity through its news programs,”. He added that the British news company had “no good reputation” among regional states. The minister also called on those working in Iranian media “to avoid cooperating with the BBC Persian.”