Senior politicians have demanded urgent action after records revealed a propaganda channel linked to the Houthi regime has maintained a British shell company for more than a decade.
Official filings at Companies House show that Almasirah Network Limited was first registered in London in September 2014 under the classification of television programming and broadcasting activities.
Houthi leaders listed as UK directors
The entity, which updated its registered name to Almassira TV channel in 2024, lists high ranking figures from the Yemeni rebel movement as company directors.
Among those listed since September 2014 is Ammar Al-Hamzy, an alternative spelling for Ammar Al-Hamzi, who serves as director general of Al-Masirah TV. He has previously described the network’s work as exposing heinous crimes and arrogant aggression headed by the US, Israel, and Britain.
A second director is recorded as Embrahim Mohammed Al-Dailami, representing Ibrahim Al-Dailami. The former director general of the station currently serves as the Houthi Ambassador to Iran, having previously accused Britain’s ambassador to Yemen of having political Alzheimer’s and making threats against Western powers.
- Dormant records: Financial accounts indicate the business holds just £200 in material assets and has submitted 10 years of dormant filings.
- Unverified identities: Registered directors have failed to complete the required Companies House identity verification checks.
- Dissolution pending: The company is overdue on its statutory filings and faces being struck off and dissolved unless documents are submitted.
Iran using dormant setups for propaganda
Financial accountant Ben Crowne confirmed that the UK setup operates clearly as a shell company. Headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon, the wider network was stripped of its news site by the US government in 2021 over pro-Iran disinformation.
Security analysts have expressed severe alarm over the ongoing presence of such entities inside Great Britain.
Why are we allowing these people to exist in the UK? What the hell are we doing?
Iain Duncan Smith, former Conservative Party leader
Former American intelligence operator Johnathan Hacketit warned that Tehran routinely uses dormant media setups to keep potential access points available without drawing suspicion.
He explained that these bases allow foreign intelligence services to reactivate propaganda operations inside the UK with minimal notice to reach vulnerable populations.
Airstrikes spark furious demand for action
The revelations follow a deadly Houthi attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, where a missile struck a parked Saudia Airlines jet, leaving 12 people dead and 300 injured.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting condemned the strike as contemptible and a dangerous escalation, confirming the UK is assisting Saudi Arabia with air defences and air-to-air refuelling support.
Former Home Secretary Priti Patel stated that all operations linked to the Houthi movement inside Great Britain must be investigated immediately.
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 added that the revelations were a shocker, warning that Britain remains wide open while turning a blind eye to extremist propaganda.
Meanwhile, the US president is currently deciding whether to join Saudi airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen.