Iran claims journalists part of intelligence agencies

TEHRAN, Iran - Iran's police chief yesterday accused the Voice of America and the BBC of being the arms of U.S. and British intelligence agencies, and warned of severe repercussions for journalists and activists caught having contacts with them, state media reported.

Gen. Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam, whose police forces have played a key role in the government crackdown on protesters since Iran's disputed presidential election, was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying opposition activists have cooperated with the BBC and the Voice of America "with the aim of weakening and overthrowing the [ruling] system."

"The BBC is the arm of MI-6 [Britain's foreign intelligence agency] and VOA belongs to the CIA" Moghaddam said, according to IRNA. "Those who cooperate with foreign services through transmitting photos, reports, news and anti-revolutionary actions . . . should know that all their actions are monitored. We will settle accounts with them when the time comes."

Tehran has repeatedly accused the United States and Britain of fueling the country's postelection unrest in a bid to oust Iran's clerical rulers. It also frequently accuses its opponents of being in league with the country's enemies, and Moghaddam's comments appear to be part of Tehran's efforts to discredit the opposition by linking them with foreign powers.

The Voice of America and the BBC have their own Persian radio and TV services, which many Iranians tune in to despite a ban on satellite dishes and government attempts to jam the airwaves.