BBC College of Journalism Blog - A vigorous and robust discussion about journalism from every perspective.

Iran is moving up the news agenda; it's certainly moving up Israel's agenda.

However, late last year BBC Global News director Peter Horrocks warned of the difficulties facing BBC journalists: "We are seeing the levels of intimidation and bullying as well as attempts to interfere in our independence reaching new levels."

A recent statement by BBC director-general Mark Thompson called on "the Iranian government to repudiate the actions of its officials. We also ask governments and international regulatory bodies to put maximum pressure on Iran to desist in this campaign of intimidation, persistent censorship and a disturbing abuse of power."

So, with parliamentary elections due in March, how should the BBC report on Iran? What are the key issues BBC journalists need to be aware of?

In this CoJo lunchtime seminar, Robin Lustig, presenter of The World Tonight on Radio 4, talked to BBC Iran correspondent James Reynolds and Sadeq Saba, head of the BBC Persian Service.