Talking Heads

After years of suspicion, predating even the Iranian revolution of 1979, officials of the Islamic government have looked scornfully at the BBC as a propaganda machine for British, and in turn American, interests and ambitions.  

So it is no surprise that when the BBC launched a Farsi-language news station yesterday Iran's intelligence minister labeled the new station a "security threat" hours before the first broadcast of BBC Persian TV.

The official said Iran will take "necessary measures" to deal with the station, which is to be broadcast to Farsi-speakers in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and the rest of the world.  

Read more about the tension and the roots of Iranian suspicion towards Britain at the United Arab Emirates daily paper The National.