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A television station that has been critical of the Iranian government is moving its studios from London to the United States following state-backed threats and advice from police.
- Iran International has closed its London studios
- Police say a man was charged with a terrorism offence after being detained in the area where the studios are
- The general manager says he "cannot believe it has come to this"
Iran has accused Saudi Arabia of funding the Persian-language Iran International channel, which has covered anti-government protests in the Islamic Republic extensively.
Saudi Arabia has not commented on Tehran's allegations.
The channel said it had closed its London studios "after a significant escalation in state-backed threats from Iran and advice from the Metropolitan Police".
The decision came days after London police said an Austrian national had been charged with a terrorism offence after being detained in Chiswick Business Park, where Iran International's headquarters is located.
"We still have serious concerns for the safety of people working at this company," police counter-terrorism head Matt Jukes said.
"This has led to us giving further advice and the company is now relocating."
Iran International TV general manager Mahmood Enayat said the threat was not just to the station but "the British public at large,"
"I cannot believe it has come to this," he said.
"A foreign state has caused such a significant threat to the British public on British soil that we have to move."
The broadcaster, which did not say whether the move to Washington was temporary or permanent, said threats had grown to the point where it felt it was no longer possible to protect its staff, and the general public.
There was no immediate comment by Iranian officials on the channel's move and allegations of threats against it.
Reuters