Iran International

Iran International is a Persian-language news and current-affairs network established in London in May 2017. Its television service is distributed by satellite, while its reporting and programs are also available through the network's website, streaming applications, social-media channels, and radio or audio relays. The service is aimed primarily at audiences in Iran and at Persian-speaking communities abroad, with coverage spanning Iranian politics, foreign affairs, economics, human rights, women's rights, LGBTQ+ issues, society, culture, science, technology, and sport. The network's stated purpose is to connect people inside Iran with the Iranian diaspora and to offer reporting about Iran and the wider world. Its programming has nevertheless been widely characterized by observers as oppositional toward the Islamic Republic. Iran International frequently interviews critics of the Iranian government, Iranian activists, opposition figures, former officials, and international policymakers. It has also given sustained attention to Reza Pahlavi, the former crown prince of Iran, and has covered organizations and movements opposed to the Islamic Republic. These editorial choices have made the network influential among some Iranian audiences but also highly controversial. The channel was reportedly established with funding connected to members of the Saudi royal-court circle. The network's ownership and financing have attracted continuing scrutiny because of the broader rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Iran International operates through Global Media Circulating Ltd as a United Kingdom-licensed editorial news service and has been managed by DMA Media. Its international reporting structure has included bureaux or operations associated with London, Washington, Paris, Istanbul, and other locations. The network has no reporters operating openly inside Iran and is banned by Iranian authorities. Iran International broadcasts through the TürkmenÄlem 52°E/MonacoSAT satellite system, reaching a broad area of Europe and Asia, including Iran, despite government efforts to jam satellite signals and restrict online access. It also distributes content globally through digital platforms. Independent audience research cited by the Association for International Broadcasting reported that the network was one of the most influential independent news sources among surveyed Iranians in 2022. A subsequent GAMAAN survey in 2023 found substantial reported use of the service, although such online surveys have methodological limitations and should not be treated as a complete census of Iranian media consumption. Its flagship output has included the news and analysis program 24, the political discussion program Cheshmandaz, and Titr-e Aval. Cultural, historical, documentary, and sports programming has included Panjereh, Tanin Tarikh, and Hat-Trick. Iran International has also produced investigative reports and documentaries, including reporting on alleged corruption in the procurement of medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, human-rights abuses, executions, gender-based violence, and political repression. The network has faced regulatory, legal, security, and labor controversies. In 2018, Ofcom investigated an interview with a spokesman for a separatist organization following the Ahvaz military-parade attack and concluded that the channel had not breached relevant broadcasting rules. Iranian authorities designated Iran International a terrorist organization in November 2022, alleging that it encouraged protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. The network subsequently increased security around its London premises. After threats escalated, it temporarily moved studio broadcasting to Washington, D.C., in February 2023, returning to a London facility in September of that year. In 2023, an individual was convicted in the United Kingdom after being accused of conducting hostile surveillance near the studios. In July 2025, the network said that the Handala group had penetrated its systems and released a large volume of internal data. Despite these pressures, Iran International remains an active international broadcaster and digital news brand.

Iran International launched in London on 18 May 2017 as a Persian-language satellite television service with a stated mission of bringing world news and Iranian affairs to people inside Iran and to the Iranian diaspora. Its creation was linked in reporting and corporate-record research to funding associated with members of the Saudi royal-court circle. Analysts consequently placed the channel within the Saudi-Iranian struggle for regional influence, while the network presented itself as a news organization serving audiences that lacked access to unrestricted information from inside Iran. From its beginning, Iran International recruited journalists and presenters with experience at other Persian-language services, including Manoto, Radio Farda, BBC Persian, and Voice of America. London became its principal base, and the organization developed international reporting capabilities involving Washington, Paris, Istanbul, and other locations. Its service was licensed in the United Kingdom to Global Media Circulating Ltd and managed by DMA Media. Volant Media UK later launched Afghanistan International as a related Persian-language media venture in 2021. The broadcaster's editorial identity developed around continuous coverage of Iranian politics, protests, foreign relations, economic conditions, human-rights issues, gender, LGBTQ+ rights, culture, and sport. It also produced documentaries and specialist programs. Coverage generally gave substantial airtime to critics of the Islamic Republic, Iranian opposition figures, activists, and exiled voices. Observers have therefore described the service variously as opposition media, an Iranian exile outlet, or a platform with a clear anti-government orientation. The channel has repeatedly profiled Reza Pahlavi and has also broadcast material about the People's Mujahedeen Organization of Iran and other opposition movements. Iran International's reporting has included exclusive or early accounts concerning the detention and legal cases of Iranian public figures, the treatment of political prisoners, the execution of wrestler Navid Afkari, gender-based violence, and alleged corruption surrounding COVID-19 medical-supply procurement. In 2021, it broadcast a leaked interview involving Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif; Iran's foreign ministry argued that the material had been distorted by selective quotation. In 2018, the channel faced an Ofcom investigation after broadcasting an interview with a spokesman for a separatist group that had claimed responsibility for the Ahvaz military-parade attack. Ofcom ultimately found no breach of the applicable rules. Distribution has been central to the network's strategy because Iranian authorities have attempted to block or jam foreign Persian-language media. Iran International uses the TürkmenÄlem 52°E/MonacoSAT satellite and digital streaming, while an audio relay has also been receivable through shortwave radio. The network has reported audience figures in the tens of millions, and GAMAAN research cited in industry coverage found high levels of reported use and trust among surveyed Iranians. Such figures should be interpreted in light of the surveys' online recruitment and weighting methods. Security pressures intensified during the protests that followed the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. On 9 November 2022, Iran's intelligence minister announced that Iran International had been designated a terrorist organization by the Islamic Republic and warned that cooperation with it would be treated as cooperation with terrorists. The network reinforced its London premises with vehicle barriers and other security measures. In February 2023, after further threats and police advice, it moved studio broadcasting temporarily to Washington, D.C. It reopened a London operation in September 2023. A man arrested near the studios for photographing the area was later convicted and imprisoned. The channel has also experienced labor-relations controversy. In 2020, the International Federation of Journalists and the National Union of Journalists accused the organization of obstructing recognition of an NUJ workplace chapel while supporting recognition of the British Association of Journalists. The employer and unions disputed the characterization of the arrangements. In July 2025, the Handala group claimed responsibility for infiltrating Iran International's systems and publishing more than two terabytes of internal information. The network confirmed that the leaked material was authentic and associated the attackers with Iranian intelligence. Iran International remains active as a satellite, digital, and multimedia Persian-language broadcaster.

• 2025

  Reported Handala cyber intrusion

  [1]Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The network confirmed the authenticity of data released after an intrusion claimed by the Handala group.

• 2023

  Temporary Washington broadcasting operation

  [1]Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The network moved studio broadcasting away from London in February because of security threats and returned to London in September.

• 2022

  Iranian government terrorist designation

  [1]Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Iran designated the network a terrorist organization during the Mahsa Amini protests and warned against cooperation with it.

• 2021

  Afghanistan International launched as a sister channel

  [1]Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Volant Media UK launched Afghanistan International, a related Persian-language service.

• 2020

  Labor-union recognition dispute

  [1]Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  Journalist unions publicly criticized the network's handling of workplace representation and its recognition agreement with the British Association of Journalists.

• 2018

  Ofcom investigates Ahvaz attack interview

  [1]Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  After an interview with a spokesman for a group claiming responsibility for the Ahvaz military-parade attack, Ofcom conducted a long investigation and found no breach.

• 2017

  Iran International begins broadcasting

  [1]Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org

  The Persian-language television service launched in London on 18 May, targeting viewers in Iran and Persian-speaking audiences worldwide.

An international Persian-language news platform positioned as an independent source for audiences in Iran and the Iranian diaspora, but frequently described by critics and media observers as an opposition-oriented broadcaster with a strong focus on challenging the Islamic Republic.

• Satellite television news · 2017

  Iran International television

  The core Persian-language television service broadcasts live news, analysis, interviews, documentaries, and programs about Iranian politics, society, international affairs, culture, science, technology, and sport. It is distributed by satellite across a broad region including Iran and is subject to signal-jamming efforts by Iranian authorities.

• Digital news and streaming · 2017

  Iran International digital service

  The network's website and digital applications extend its reporting beyond linear television. They provide written articles, live streams, video clips, programs, documentaries, and rapidly updated coverage for audiences inside Iran and across the diaspora.

• News and analysis program

  24

  24 is one of Iran International's principal news and analysis programs. It combines rolling coverage with interviews and interpretation of political and international developments, and has been associated with presenter Fardad Farahzad.

• Political talk show

  Cheshmandaz

  Cheshmandaz is a discussion program focused on political developments and competing interpretations of Iran's domestic and international position. The program has been associated with Sima Sabet and later Mehdi Mahdavi Azad.

• News program

  Titr-e Aval

  Titr-e Aval is a headline and current-affairs program that has served as a major part of the channel's daily news output. It was previously hosted by Fardad Farahzad.

• Sports program

  Hat-Trick

  Hat-Trick is a sports program associated with presenter Mazdak Mirzaei. It reflects the network's expansion beyond political news into football and broader sports coverage.

• 2025

  Handala data breach

  The Handala group claimed to have compromised the network and released extensive internal data, including information concerning users, staff, finances, contracts, and internal communications. Iran International confirmed the authenticity of the leaked material and linked the attackers to Iranian intelligence.

  Source

• 2022

  Iranian terrorist designation

  Iran's government labeled Iran International a terrorist organization during the Mahsa Amini protests, alleging that its reporting incited unrest. The designation reflected the Iranian government's position and was not presented as an independent United Kingdom finding.

  Source

• 2020

  Workplace union-recognition dispute

  The International Federation of Journalists and the National Union of Journalists accused Iran International of union-busting and of avoiding recognition of an NUJ workplace chapel. The network had instead signed a recognition arrangement with the British Association of Journalists, which critics characterized as a management-favorable alternative.

  Source

Read more

• 2022Mahsa Amini protest coverage

  Iran · Worldwide Persian-speaking audience

  Iran International provided extensive coverage of protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, including reporting on demonstrations, government responses, human-rights claims, and international reactions.

  Outcome. The coverage increased the network's visibility and security risk. Iranian authorities subsequently designated the organization a terrorist entity.

  Source
• 2020Winter at Tantora performance broadcast

  Iran · International

  The channel broadcast performances by Iranian singers who had traveled from the United States to the Winter at Tantora festival.

  Source

• 2023

  Move studio broadcasting temporarily to WashingtonStrategy

  Background

  Threats against the network and its London staff intensified after Iran designated the organization a terrorist entity.

  Action taken

  Iran International temporarily closed its London studios in February and conducted studio broadcasting from Washington, D.C.

  Aftermath

  The network established a new London location and resumed broadcasting from London in September 2023.

  Source

• 2017

  Launch an international Persian-language news networkProduct launch

  Background

  The project was created to serve audiences in Iran and the Iranian diaspora with satellite and digital news coverage.

  Action taken

  The network began television broadcasting from London on 18 May 2017 and developed online, satellite, and audio distribution.

  Aftermath

  It became a prominent Persian-language source for Iranian political and current-affairs news.

  Source

1. 1Iran Internationalen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Iran International official websiteiranintl.com