History of Iran International in Timeline

Iran International is a Persian-language satellite television channel and digital news operation based in London, established in May 2017. Reportedly linked to Saudi Arabia, it focuses on Iranian news, culture, politics, society, and sports for Iranians and those interested in Iranian affairs. The channel provides a platform for a variety of perspectives on Iran.

May 2017: Establishment of Iran International

In May 2017, Iran International, a Persian-language satellite television channel and digital news operation based in London, was established. It is aimed at Iranians and those interested in Iranian news, culture, politics, society, and sports.

May 2018: Aldeghither Ownership of Volant Media Ends

From May 2016 to May 2018, Fahad Ibrahim Aldeghither owned over 75% of the shares of Volant Media before Adel Abdukarim

2018: Complaint Lodged Over Separatist Interview

In 2018, Iran's ambassador to the UK lodged a complaint to the media regulator because of Iran International's interview with a separatist group spokesman after they claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack in Ahvaz. Ofcom later ruled that Iran International did not breach any rules.

2018: Saudi Arabia Provides Funding

In 2018, Saudi Arabia reportedly provided a 250-million-dollar fund for Iran International, according to The Guardian. However, Iran International's management claims independence and denies any governmental links.

July 2019: Mazdak Mirzaei Joins Iran International

In July 2019, Iranian media reporter Mazdak Mirzaei, a football commentator and TV host, joined Iran International.

December 2019: Intimidation Campaign Against Iran International Personnel

In December 2019, The Times reported that Iran was waging an "intimidation campaign" against Iran International personnel, freezing assets and threatening their relatives. Iran's Ministry of Intelligence had named employees as "enemy of the state."

May 2020: Target of State-Sponsored Discrediting Programme

In May 2020, it was reported that Iran International was the target of a state-sponsored program that sought to discredit its reporting and trace its followers by creating fake social media accounts. Instagram was criticized for hosting the fake accounts.

May 2020: Omid Habibinia Joins Iran International

In May 2020, senior journalist Omid Habibinia joined the Iran International team.

June 2020: Reporting on Honor Killings and Gender-Based Violence

In June 2020, Iran International reported on a series of honor killings and gender-based violence in Iran, with legal analyst Nargess Tavalossian speaking publicly about the increase in violence against women.

July 2020: IFJ Condemns Union Busting Efforts

On July 10, 2020, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) released a statement and condemned union busting efforts made by Iran International, its refusal to engage with Acas to recognize a NUJ chapel, and what it called a "breach of international labour standards".

July 2020: Complaint Submitted to ILO

On July 15, 2020, it was reported that Labour peer Lord John Hendy submitted a complaint to the International Labour Organization (ILO) against the British Association of Journalists (BAJ) and Iran International.

2020: Broadcast of Iranian Singers at Winter at Tantora Festival

In 2020, Iran International broadcast performance of Iranian singers who were flown in from the United States to the Winter at Tantora Festival.

April 2021: Leaked Audio File of Foreign Minister Zarif

On April 25, 2021, Iran International obtained a leaked audio file of Iran's Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, criticizing the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and Qasem Soleimani's actions in the Syrian Civil War.

August 2021: Fall of Kabul

In August 2021, Iran International journalist Tajuden Soroush published several reports on Afghanistan following the 15 August 2021 fall of Kabul.

September 2021: Tajuden Soroush Reports on Afghanistan

In September 2021, Iran International journalist Tajuden Soroush published several reports on Afghanistan following the August 15, 2021 fall of Kabul.

2021: Launch of Afghanistan International

In 2021, Volant Media UK launched Afghanistan International, a sister channel to Iran International.

November 2022: Iran International Declared Terrorist Organization

In November 2022, during the Mahsa Amini protests, the Iranian Minister of Intelligence announced that Iran International had been declared a terrorist organization by the Islamic Republic of Iran, accusing it of inciting anti-government riots.

2022: Concrete Barriers Placed Outside London Studios

In 2022, London's Metropolitan Police placed concrete barriers outside Iran International's studios in west London due to "imminent and credible threats".

2022: Iran International as Most Influential Independent News Source

In 2022, an independent survey by GAMAAN reported by the AIB found that Iran International was the most influential source of independent news in Iran with 33% of the daily audience. Over half of the 27,000 participants trusted Iran International "a lot" or "to some extent".

February 2023: Headquarters Moved to Washington, D.C.

In February 2023, Iran International temporarily moved its headquarters to Washington, D.C. due to increased threats from the Iranian government against its UK-based journalists. Scotland Yard warned staff of potential threats, and Magomed-Husekjn Dovtaev was charged with terrorism for collecting information outside the headquarters.

February 2023: Terrorism Charge After Photographing Studios

In February 2023, Magomed-Husejn Dovtaev was charged with terrorism after being caught photographing areas surrounding the London studios. He was later found guilty and sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail. Also in September, Iran International resumed broadcasting from London.

February 2023: Closure of London Studios

On February 18, 2023, Iran International TV temporarily closed its London studios due to state-backed threats from Iran and advice from the Metropolitan Police, moving broadcasting to Washington, D.C.

September 2023: Resumption of Operations in London

In September 2023, Iran International resumed operations at a new location in London after temporarily moving broadcasting to Washington, D.C.

2023: Awards and Nominations

In 2023, Iran International won a Clio Entertainment Award and a Promax UK award. The channel was also nominated twice for International Channel of the Year by the Association for International Broadcasting.

2023: GAMAAN Survey on Iran International Viewership

In 2023, an online survey by GAMAAN reported that 54% of respondents "sometimes" or "often" listened to or watched Iran International. The survey also found that half of the individuals trusted Iran International "a lot" or "to some extent". The most popular programs were the "Cheshmandaz Talk Show, with Sima Sabet," its various documentaries, and "24, with Fardad Farahzad."

March 2024: Journalist Pouria Zeraati Stabbed

In March 2024, journalist Pouria Zeraati was stabbed outside his home in London.

July 2024: Iran and Armenia secret agreement

In July 2024, Iran International reported on a secret $500 million agreement between Iran and Armenia, citing a senior military official. The deal included Shahed 136, Shahed 129, Shahed 197, and Mohajer drones, air defense systems like 3rd Khordad, Majid, 15th Khordad, and Arman, intelligence cooperation, military relations, training, and establishing bases in Armenia.

October 2024: Iran International Correspondent writes slogan on Gaza Strip wall

On 7 October 2024, Iran International Correspondent in Israel, Babak Eshaghi, was recorded writing the saying "Woman, Life, Freedom" on a destroyed building's walls in the Gaza Strip. This slogan originated with the Kurdish freedom movement and gained international popularity after the death of Mahsa Jina Amini.

2024: Manoto Shuts Down Satellite Broadcasting

In 2024, another UK-based Persian TV outlet, Manoto, shut down its satellite broadcasting due to financial issues, though it still operates via YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

July 2025: Data Breach by Handala Group

In July 2025, the Handala group infiltrated the internal systems and data of Iran International, leaking over 2 terabytes of information including data on 71,000 users, employees, financial records, contracts, and internal messages.