The BBC has condemned harassment of its Persian staff’s families by Iranian authorities.
It said there had been "unprecedented levels of intimidation" ahead of presidential elections which are due to take place on Friday.
The corporation is accusing Iran of warning the families of 15 members of the BBC Persian Service that they have to stop working for the BBC.
"In the past few days alone 15 family members have been questioned by the Iranian intelligence ministry in Tehran and other cities across the country,” said head of languages, Liliane Landor.
"The harassment has included threats that relatives will lose jobs and pensions and be prevented from travelling abroad,"
She said that "for the first time the lives of BBC Persian TV staff living in the UK have also been threatened".