Telegraph report reveals Iranian state-backed media network spreading aligned messaging with extremist groups, prompting calls for regulatory action in Britain
A recent investigation by The Telegraph has revealed that a propaganda network linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is operating openly within the United Kingdom, raising serious concerns among British officials about national security and regulatory oversight.
According to the report, UK government ministers have been warned that the Iranian regime-backed media operation poses a tangible threat to national security and should be urgently addressed. The network, identified as the “Islamic Radio and Television Union” (IRTVU), consists of a collection of media organizations that disseminate content closely aligned with the messaging of the Iranian regime and its regional proxies.
The report highlights that IRTVU promotes narratives consistent with groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis—organizations widely designated as terrorist entities by Western governments. The United States sanctioned the network in 2020, stating that it is either owned or controlled by the IRGC and functions as a propaganda arm of the force.
Despite these sanctions, several affiliated entities continue to operate within the UK. These include Hidayat TV, based in Manchester, Ahlulbayt TV, and Al-Masirah, the primary media outlet of the Houthi movement. Their presence within Britain’s media landscape has intensified scrutiny over regulatory gaps and enforcement failures.
One particularly controversial member of the network is Luluah TV, which operates from Wembley in north London. The outlet has reportedly used its online platforms and social media presence to glorify senior figures from Hamas and Hezbollah, referring to them as “martyrs” and “heroes.” Among those praised are Yahya Sinwar, the former Hamas leader in Gaza linked to the October 7 attacks; Ismail Haniyeh, another senior Hamas figure who was killed in Tehran; and Hassan Nasrallah, the longtime leader of Hezbollah. All three individuals were killed by Israel in 2024. The channel has also expressed support for Qassem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC’s Quds Force.
The revelations have prompted strong political reactions. Alicia Kearns, the UK Shadow Security Minister, warned that antisemitic violence does not emerge in isolation but is often rooted in sustained exposure to hate-driven propaganda. She called on Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator, to revoke the license of Shells for Media Production, the parent company behind Luluah TV.
Kearns further emphasized that pro-IRGC and openly antisemitic media outlets have long exploited Britain’s democratic freedoms to disseminate what she described as toxic propaganda. She argued that UK freedoms must not be misused to legitimize hatred, extremism, or terrorist narratives.
In response, a spokesperson for the UK Home Office stated that the government takes threats posed by the Iranian regime with the utmost seriousness. “Our top priority remains the protection of British citizens and national interests,” the spokesperson said.
The findings underscore growing concerns about foreign state influence operations in Europe, particularly those leveraging open societies to expand ideological and political influence. As pressure mounts on regulators, the case is likely to intensify debates over the balance between freedom of expression and national security in democratic countries.
