Iran began broadcasting on its own Spanish-language satellite TV network, “HispanTV,” 2/5 in an effort to improve relations with Latin American countries. The 24-hour-a-day broadcasts feature entertainment and news, some of which is (you guessed it) harshly critical of the US.
The broadcasts coincide with tough talk between Iran, the US and Israel that imply military strikes are possible soon. Opening day for HispanTV included a message from Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said, “Today, a selfish and bullying minority is paving the ground for its domination over the nations by means of the media…HispanTV will reduce the grounds used by the arrogant powers exercising their hegemony…[It] also would narrow the distance between free and justice-seeking nations.”
He ended his message by saying in Spanish, “Viva Espana, viva America Latina,” which means “Long live Spain, long live Latin America.”
Programs on the first day included a story saying most American citizens did not favor sanctions against Iran.
Another show on the first day criticized what it said were U.S. plots against Syria and Venezuela, according to All Headline News.
Other content was produced by the Latin American network TeleSur, which has support of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who is a harsh critic of the US.
Last month, Ahmadinejad toured Venezuela, Cuba and Ecuador on a goodwill tour among Iran’s Latin American allies.
