The British government said on Monday it had summoned Iran’s top diplomat to the UK after journalists based in the country were subjected to intimidation by Tehran.
The foreign ministry said its Middle East director Vijay Rangarajan met with Iranian charge d’affaires Mehdi Hosseini Matin to “make clear that the UK will not tolerate threats to the life and freedom of the media”.
“I am appalled by the Iranian regime’s continued threats to the lives of UK-based journalists and today summoned his representative to clarify that this will not be tolerated,” Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said in a statement.
URANIUM PROCESSING IN IRAN NEARLY REACHED PURITY FOR NUCLEAR WEAPONS: INSPECTORS
Iran International, a Farsi-language TV channel based in London, said on Saturday it had moved its broadcasts to Washington to protect its journalists after British police told them of “serious and immediate threats” to the safety of journalists Iranians.
The national flags of Iran are seen in a square in Tehran February 10, 2012. British diplomats issued a warning to Iran’s foreign affairs chief over recent threats against journalists by the Islamic regime. (REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl)
Iran International said that “threats had grown to the point where it was felt that it was no longer possible to protect the channel’s staff” or the public around its studio in London.
The Metropolitan Police said authorities had thwarted “15 plots since the start of 2022 to kidnap or even kill British or UK-based individuals perceived to be enemies of the regime”, without elaborating.
ISRAEL ATTACKS IRANIAN TARGETS IN SYRIA AS SHADOW WAR BETWEEN THE TWO ADVERSITIES HEATS UP: REPORT
The BBC separately filed a complaint with the United Nations saying there were heightened concerns for the safety of journalists working for its Persian service “in light of extra-territorial threats”.
The foreign ministry also said on Monday it was imposing new sanctions against Iranian officials for human rights violations. Those sanctioned included three senior judges for imposing the death penalty on protesters and five commanders of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Britain has imposed sanctions on more than 50 Iranian individuals and entities since September, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini following her arrest by the Islamic Republic’s Morale Police triggered a wave of protests and a violent crackdown by of Tehran.
