LuaLua TV, a London-based online broadcaster, is facing accusations that it breaches the UK's newly enacted National Security Act by maintaining ties to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The outlet, which openly lists itself as a member of the Islamic Radios and Television Union (IRTVU), a body the US sanctioned in 2020 for being 'owned or controlled' by the IRGC's Quds Force, has been flagged to counter-terror police for potential violations of the legislation that prohibits support for designated organisations.
Allegations and Political Response
Lord Walney, the government's former extremism tsar, told Metro that he believes LuaLua TV 'breaches the new National Security Act' due to its affiliation with the IRTVU. His comments come as a report, seen by Metro, has been submitted to Counter Terror Police urging an investigation into the channel's activities. The National Security Act, which came into force earlier this year, makes it an offence to assist a designated body like the IRGC, including through payment of fees, provision of services, or exchange of information, and also prohibits obtaining material benefits from such groups.
Alicia Kearns MP, Shadow National Security Minister, echoed these concerns, stating that the station's director 'has little deniability' regarding its links to the IRGC. She emphasised that the IRTVU's website prominently features LuaLua TV, and given the union's sanctioned status, the evidence warrants investigation by authorities, with the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charges if sufficient evidence is found.
Background and Content
LuaLua TV was originally established in London in 2011 as an opposition channel to Bahrain's government. Over time, it has shifted to align closely with Iranian interests, regularly praising Hamas and Hezbollah commanders. The outlet has celebrated Hezbollah's role in the October 7 terror attack, which killed over 1,200 people, and mourned Yahya Sinwar, the mastermind of the massacre. Such content has raised red flags among MPs, who previously raised concerns about the channel's references to Hassan Nasrallah and Sinwar as 'heroes and martyrs'.
The IRTVU, which spans 35 countries, describes itself as a 'strong and cohesive Islamic media bloc based on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad'. In 2020, the US Department of Justice shut down LuaLua TV's website, and the union was sanctioned by the US for functioning as the IRGC's 'propaganda arm'. Despite these actions, LuaLua TV continues to stream online and remains active on social media platforms.
Calls for Investigation
Luke Akhehurst, the Labour MP for Durham North, expressed that there is 'little doubt in my mind' that LuaLua TV 'should be reinvestigated by Counter Terrorism Police'. This follows a previous probe by counter-terror officers into the station's support for proscribed groups, as reported by the Telegraph in February. The channel's parent company, Shells for Media, was registered at a London address until February 6 this year, when it moved to a default address at Companies House's Cardiff office. Ofcom still lists the channel at a north London address.
Ofcom, which licenses LuaLua TV, noted that the broadcaster's online content is not subject to the Broadcasting Code, as it does not appear on regulated TV. However, a spokesperson said: 'As the broadcasting regulator, we have an ongoing duty to be satisfied that all broadcast licensees are fit and proper to hold their licences. We will carefully consider any new evidence available, which could include the outcome of any criminal investigations.'
Government Actions and Broader Context
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently announced that alongside the IRGC, two other groups—the Islamic Movement of Companions of the Right (IMCR) and the volunteer corps of Russia's GRU—have been proscribed as threats to national security. New powers have been granted to police and intelligence agencies to tackle espionage, foreign interference, sabotage, and physical attacks from these groups.
The IRGC is believed to be behind seven attacks in the UK linked to Jewish and Israeli communities, including an antisemitic arson attack on four Hatzola ambulances in Golders Green on March 23. A government spokesperson stated: 'We expect the police to be made aware of evidence of criminality, or support of a proscribed or designated organisation. Under the State Threats Act, we have criminalised glorification of the IRGC, who were involved in foreign power threat activity against the UK. This means it is an offence to support, assist or obtain material benefits from them.'
A Counter Terrorism Policing spokesperson said: 'Any allegations relating to possible terrorism or national security related offences are passed to officers within Counter Terrorism Policing, who will assess the details and take any further action as appropriate. More broadly, we do not comment on who may or may not be subject to any counter terrorism investigation.'
IRTVU's Response
In response to queries about LuaLua TV's membership, IRTVU's Secretary General, Nasse Akhdar, told Metro: 'Membership within IRTVU General Assembly is in accordance with IRTVU Statutes, and members retain their full legal and institutional independence and remain solely responsible for their own governance, policies, positions, and activities. Accordingly, IRTVU does not make statements on behalf of member institutions, and any questions relating to a member's affairs should be addressed directly to the concerned institution.'
Addressing claims of IRGC control, Akhdar added: 'Please note that the assertions presented appear to derive principally from unilateral positions adopted by a third country. Such positions do not, in themselves, constitute independently verified facts or an authoritative basis for assessing IRTVU's legal status, governance, or activities. Accordingly, IRTVU confines its observations to objectively verifiable facts and to the legal and institutional framework under which it operates.' LuaLua TV did not respond to requests for comment.
