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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Iran International: Channel leaves UK after regime threats | Iran International: Channel leaves UK after regime threats |
| (3 months later) | |
| The channel has been one of the main providers of news on the recent wave of anti-government protests in Iran | The channel has been one of the main providers of news on the recent wave of anti-government protests in Iran |
| Independent TV network Iran International is suspending its operations in the UK because of threats against its London-based journalists. | Independent TV network Iran International is suspending its operations in the UK because of threats against its London-based journalists. |
| The Persian-language TV channel said that the decision was due to a "significant escalation in state-backed threats from Iran". | The Persian-language TV channel said that the decision was due to a "significant escalation in state-backed threats from Iran". |
| "Threats had grown to the point that it was felt it was no longer possible to protect the channel's staff," it said. | "Threats had grown to the point that it was felt it was no longer possible to protect the channel's staff," it said. |
| The station will continue to operate from its offices in Washington DC. | The station will continue to operate from its offices in Washington DC. |
| In November, two British-Iranian journalists from the channel were warned by police of a possible risk to their lives. An armed police presence was stationed near the channel's studios in Chiswick, west London, and concrete barriers were placed outside the building. | In November, two British-Iranian journalists from the channel were warned by police of a possible risk to their lives. An armed police presence was stationed near the channel's studios in Chiswick, west London, and concrete barriers were placed outside the building. |
| London's Metropolitan Police said 15 plots had been foiled since the start of 2022 to either kidnap or kill UK-based individuals perceived as enemies of the Iranian regime. | London's Metropolitan Police said 15 plots had been foiled since the start of 2022 to either kidnap or kill UK-based individuals perceived as enemies of the Iranian regime. |
| "I cannot believe it has come to this," said the network's general manager, Mahmood Enayat. | "I cannot believe it has come to this," said the network's general manager, Mahmood Enayat. |
| "A foreign state has caused such a significant threat to the British public on British soil that we have to move," he said. | "A foreign state has caused such a significant threat to the British public on British soil that we have to move," he said. |
| "Let's be clear, this is not just a threat to our TV station, but the British public at large." | "Let's be clear, this is not just a threat to our TV station, but the British public at large." |
| How Iran state TV tries to control the story of the protests | How Iran state TV tries to control the story of the protests |
| How Iran state TV tries to control the story of the protests | How Iran state TV tries to control the story of the protests |
| Iran International has been one of the most prominent providers of news on the recent wave of anti-government protests in Iran. | Iran International has been one of the most prominent providers of news on the recent wave of anti-government protests in Iran. |
| Protests swept across the country in September following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. | Protests swept across the country in September following the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who was detained by morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. |
| In October, the Iranian government announced sanctions against Iran International and BBC News Persian, accusing them of "incitement of riots" and "support of terrorism" over their coverage of the anti-government protests that have engulfed the country over the past two months. | In October, the Iranian government announced sanctions against Iran International and BBC News Persian, accusing them of "incitement of riots" and "support of terrorism" over their coverage of the anti-government protests that have engulfed the country over the past two months. |
| The two UK-based channels are already banned from Iran, but a press freedom watchdog says they are among the main sources of news and information in a country where independent media and journalists are constantly persecuted. | The two UK-based channels are already banned from Iran, but a press freedom watchdog says they are among the main sources of news and information in a country where independent media and journalists are constantly persecuted. |
| In November, Iran's Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, said Iran International had been identified by Tehran as a "terrorist" organisation, that all co-operation and links with it would be considered a threat against national security, and that its "agents" would be pursued, state news agency Irna reported. | In November, Iran's Intelligence Minister, Esmail Khatib, said Iran International had been identified by Tehran as a "terrorist" organisation, that all co-operation and links with it would be considered a threat against national security, and that its "agents" would be pursued, state news agency Irna reported. |
| He also accused the UK of spreading propaganda against Iran's clerical establishment and warned it would "pay for its measures to create insecurity". | He also accused the UK of spreading propaganda against Iran's clerical establishment and warned it would "pay for its measures to create insecurity". |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Middle East | |
| Press freedom | Press freedom |
| Media | Media |
| London | London |
| Iran | Iran |
| 2022 Iran protests | 2022 Iran protests |