[bitontheslide]

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".

"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.

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.

"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.

"Let's be clear, this is not just a threat to our TV station, but the British public at large."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-64690387