Al-Masirah TV, the main propaganda network for the Houthi rebels, appears to have operated a base in the UK for 12 years, according to Companies House documents seen by Metro. The channel, headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, has been accused by the US government of spreading pro-Iran disinformation, leading to the takedown of its news site in 2021.
The revelations have sparked fears from leading national security voices, including Priti Patel MP and Iain Duncan Smith MP, that Britain has exposed itself to Iranian influence via the station's London base. The Houthi rebels recently struck King Khalid International Airport, killing 12 and injuring 300.
Shell company in London since 2014
Companies House records show that 'Almasirah Network Limited' was first registered in September 2014, describing its business as 'Television programming and broadcasting activities'. One of the company's directors since September 2014 is listed as Ammar Al-Hamzy, which appears to be an alternative spelling of Ammar Al-Hamzi, the current director general of Al-Masirah TV.
Al-Hamzi has described the TV station's work as exposing the 'heinous crimes' and 'arrogant aggression headed by the US, Israel and Britain'. Another director of the UK hub, which changed its name to 'Almassira TV channel' in 2024, is listed as Embrahim Mohammed Al-Dailami, appearing to be an alternative spelling of Ibrahim Al-Dailami, who previously served as director general of Al-Masirah and is the current Houthi Ambassador to Iran.
Experts warn of national security risk
A financial accountant told Metro the Al-Masirah base in the UK is 'clearly a shell company'. Ben Crowne said: 'It has no material assets (£200), and has filed 10 years of dormant accounts. It is also overdue for its recent filings, and its directors have not completed the Companies House identity verification.'
Despite this, experts have warned that the presence of Al-Masirah in the UK is 'problematic for UK national security'. Johnathan Hacketit, a former American intelligence operator and expert in Iran's covert operations, told Metro that 'dormant media outlets have historically been exploited by malign foreign intelligence entities'. He continued: 'Iran's state-controlled media enterprise uses UK-based media outlets like Al Masirah to obfuscate the originators of propaganda and extremist viewpoints intended to reach vulnerable populations in the UK.'
Political reaction and next steps
The TV station is now overdue on its statutory filings and is due to be struck off and dissolved unless the necessary documents are filed. However, this has not stopped national security campaigners reacting in anger to the channel having a route to the UK for more than a decade.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel told Metro: 'Houthi terrorists are sponsored by the murderous regime in Tehran. They are responsible for killing civilians, targeting shipping and are intent on damaging the interests of Britain and our allies. Any links and operations taking place in Britain must be fully investigated, and the full force of the law used to stop them.' Former Conservative Party leader Iain Duncan Smith said the revelations were 'a shocker'. He added: 'Why are we allowing these people to exist in the UK? What the hell are we doing? We are so wide open right now. We know the Houthis have been pumping out rubbish in the UK and yet we still turn a blind eye to it.'
