The BBC says Iran has detained six independent documentary filmmakers who are not BBC staff members.

Iranian media reported Monday that authorities have arrested at least five people working for the BBC's Persian service.

The BBC says that while the organization has bought the rights to broadcast the filmmakers' documentaries, the six filmmakers detained are not BBC staff, and the BBC did not commission their work.

BBC senior official Liliane Landor says the broadcasting network considers the detentions as part of Iran's “ongoing efforts” to “put pressure on the BBC for the impartial and balanced coverage of its Persian-language TV.”

Iranian authorities have accused the BBC and the British government of sparking mass protests after Iran's disputed 2009 presidential election.

Britain and the BBC deny the charge.