In a statement, the BBC said the claims were “both ludicrous and completely false, and the BBC Persian Service stands by its reporting.”     — Photo by Reuters

TEHRAN: Iran’s state TV charged Wednesday that the BBC hacked its website to change the results of a poll about Iran's nuclear program.

The BBC denied the allegation.    

The West suspects Iran may be aiming to produce nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes like energy production.

The British broadcaster’s Farsi language service reported that the poll showed 63 per cent of those who took part favored halting uranium enrichment in exchange for an end to Western economic sanctions.

The TV report Wednesday said the actual figure was 24 percent, and the rest favored retaliation against the West with measures like closing the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key to exporting oil from the Gulf.

In a statement, the BBC said the claims were “both ludicrous and completely false, and the BBC Persian Service stands by its reporting.”

“There is a significant audience within Iran which depends on BBC Persian to provide impartial and trusted news, and we are confident they are familiar with the state media's tactics,” it said.

The poll was taken off Iran TV’s website on Tuesday.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...