Oct. 10 (Bloomberg) -- The British Broadcasting Corp. plans to start a Farsi-language television channel to reach Iran.

The news and information service, which is scheduled to begin in early 2008, will be based in London and available via satellite or cable ``in the region,'' the BBC said today in a statement on its English-language Web site. The U.K. government will cover the operating cost of 15 million pounds ($28 million) a year, said the BBC, the world's oldest public broadcaster.

``Like all BBC services, the new television service will be editorially independent of the U.K. government,'' BBC World Service director Nigel Chapman said in the statement. The broadcaster also offers a Web site and radio programs in Farsi.

In January, Iranian authorities blocked access to the BBC's Farsi Web site, without providing a reason. In August, the government banned Iranians from working with or advertising on foreign-based channels and ordered raids to remove television satellite dishes from homes in Tehran, saying they threaten ``psychological security.'' The dishes were tolerated by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's predecessor, Mohammad Khatami.

Tensions between Iran and the world's powers have intensified in recent months as the Islamic Republic ignored two United Nations Security Council deadlines to halt the enrichment of uranium for its nuclear program.

Representatives from the five permanent members of the Security Council -- the U.S., U.K., France, China and Russia -- along with Germany plan this week to discuss the imposition of sanctions on Iran in view of the nation's refusal to suspend uranium enrichment.

The BBC said it plans to begin an Arabic-language television service late next year.

To contact the reporter on this story: Marc Wolfensberger in Tehran at mwolfens@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: October 10, 2006 11:23 EDT