Iran says it views Persian-language media outlets abroad as military targets

Illustrative: A presenter for dissident Persian-language TV station Iran International prepares for a news broadcast at the network's studio in London on January 20, 2026. (Carlos Jasso / AFP)
Illustrative: A presenter for dissident Persian-language TV station Iran International prepares for a news broadcast at the network's studio in London on January 20, 2026. (Carlos Jasso / AFP)

Iran’s armed forces say that several Persian-language media outlets operating abroad are included in its “military target bank,” accusing them of working for US and Israeli intelligence agencies.

In remarks published on state television, armed forces spokesman Abolfazl Shekarchi names BBC Persian, Iran International and Radio Farda among the outlets.

“These hostile media outlets are the soldiers of Zionism and America and are included in our military target bank,” Shekarchi says, accusing them of being “directly connected to Mossad, CIA and enemy intelligence organizations.”

“The Iranian Armed Forces do not view these news outlets as media,” he adds.

He does not clarify where they would be targeted.

Iranian authorities have frequently accused Persian-language media outlets based abroad of cooperating with Israel.

Iran has designated Iran International as a terrorist organization since 2022 and has warned that cooperation with the channel is punishable under Iranian law.

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