The Iranian state media reported yesterday from Ankara that the Turkish government ‎plans to broadcast a new network with programs in Farsi, Arabic and Kurdish. ‎

Citing reports published in Turkish papers, the Iranian state media reported, “the aim of ‎establishing this new network is to strengthen ties with neighboring countries in the ‎region.” The report indicated that music, sports, cultural and news programs would ‎comprise a majority of the new network’s offering. ‎

Meanwhile, the hardliner Yalsarat magazine, affiliated with the Hezbollah militia in ‎Tehran, announced in its latest issue that Israel also plans to “broadcast a 24-hour ‎network in Azari-Farsi to confront the Islamic Republic.” The publication did not clarify ‎whether it was referring to the same Farsi network that will be established under the ‎orders of Recep Tayyip Erdogan, head of Turkey’s Islamist Justice and Development ‎Party. ‎

Two years ago, following widespread protests in Iran’s Azari-speaking region, the ‎Iranian government convinced Turkish officials to temporarily halt the broadcast of a ‎Turk Set satellite network channel, “GuNaz.” Based in Chicago, GuNaz broadcasts ‎programs in Azari for Azari-speaking Iranians. Iranian officials blame the satellite ‎network for contributing to the protests of two years ago in Iran’s Azari-speaking region. ‎

The reaction of Iranian officials to Turkey’s announcement of establishing a new Farsi ‎channel is not unexpected. On various occasions, Iranian officials have tried to use their ‎leverage to pressure neighboring governments into not going forward with Farsi network ‎projects. So far, neighboring governments have done as much as possible to comply with ‎the Islamic Republic’s demands by preventing or hindering the establishment of such ‎networks.‎

The Iranian state media network has established various radio and television networks in ‎neighboring countries’ languages. ‎