The BBC first started a Persian radio service during World War II on 29 December 1940, encouraged by the Foreign Office, as part of its Empire Service. The government reasons for prioritising this was concern that the Iranian king, Reza Shah Pahlavi, was sympathetic to Nazi Germany.

United Kingdom The international feed of BBC News can also be viewed in the public areas of Broadcasting House (in the lobby and café). However, some programmes are officially available to UK audiences through the channel's UK feed.

The annual budget of £15 million (2010) was funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, but as with the BBC World Service which is also funded by the FCO, the BBC remains editorially independent, though some Iranian media have accused the British Government of using the service as a propaganda tool.