Iran says it is reviewing ties with the Czech Republic, following Prague's decision to allow the United States to launch radio broadcasts to Iran from its territory.

The Iranian ambassador in Prague Jafar Hashemi told the BBC that the Persian-language broadcasts, which began on Friday, were an act of aggression against Iran: he was unimpressed by assurances he said he'd been given that the programmes would be supportive of President Khatami.

The programmes are being put out by the Congressionally-funded Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty, which has its headquarters in Prague and launched Arabic broadcasts to Iraq at the same time.

A spokesman said the aim was to bring accurate and objective news to listeners in both countries and promote democratic values.

The Czech authorities are to review the situation at the end of the year.