Press TV under fire over alleged Iran-linked ‘spy recruitment’ activity in London
Jewish groups warn broadcaster’s reporting risks exposing communal institutions amid growing security fears
Iran’s English-language state broadcaster Press TV is facing renewed scrutiny in the UK after claims it had been used to support intelligence-gathering and recruitment efforts linked to Tehran – including alleged targeting of Jewish organisations.
The channel, which maintains a London studio despite having its UK broadcast licence revoked more than a decade ago, has been accused of acting as a platform for both propaganda and the identification of potential intelligence assets in the West.
According to a report in The Telegraph, sources allege that coverage produced by the outlet has highlighted Jewish schools, charities and communal bodies in a way that could expose them to risk.
The concerns come amid a wider pattern of alleged Iran-linked activity in Britain, including recent arrests and charges relating to suspected surveillance of Jewish and Israeli sites, raising fears about the scale of hostile operations on UK soil.
One source told the newspaper: “They are essentially providing a target list for terrorists. Shutting Press TV down would send a strong message – and it would reassure the Jewish community.”
Security concerns come against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran, Israel and the United States, with officials increasingly wary of Tehran-linked activity beyond the Middle East.
Jonathan Hackett, a former US Marine Corps intelligence operator, said Press TV’s continued presence in London reflects what he described as a “permissive environment” in the UK.
He told The Telegraph the outlet’s journalists could be used to identify and build relationships with individuals of interest before passing them to intelligence handlers, noting that journalistic cover has historically been used by multiple states.
He said this could involve the early-stage “spotting” and assessment of individuals, before they are handed on to more experienced operatives – a process he suggested mirrors wider intelligence tradecraft.
According to The Telegraph, Hackett also alleged that Marzieh Hashemi, a US-based Press TV presenter, was involved in the early stages of recruiting a high-profile American defector to Iran, including identifying and assessing potential assets.
Press TV programming has also drawn criticism for the figures it platforms in the UK. Its flagship show, Palestine Declassified, is presented by Chris Williamson, a former Labour MP, and David Miller, an academic who previously faced controversy over comments about Jewish students.
Drawing on two decades in intelligence operations, Hackett said such roles can offer access to a wide range of contacts, including government figures, under the guise of legitimate media work.
Hackett also claimed the broadcaster’s London operation had taken on greater importance as sanctions elsewhere limited its activities in other Western countries.
Press TV has already been sanctioned by the EU, the United States, Canada and Australia, with authorities citing issues including the broadcast of forced confessions involving detainees.
In the United States, officials have previously alleged the outlet was used by Iranian intelligence services to help recruit sensitive assets, including foreign nationals.
In Britain, regulator Ofcom revoked the channel’s licence in 2012. However, it continues to operate online, maintaining a significant presence across social media platforms.
Government departments, including the Foreign Office, Home Office and Treasury, are understood to have held recent discussions about potential further action, though no formal sanctions have yet been announced.
The allegations come amid wider international concerns about Iranian-linked networks operating overseas. Reports in North America suggest former members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) may be embedded abroad, with some officials warning of potential “sleeper cell” activity.
A spokesperson for the Community Security Trust (CST), which monitors antisemitism and protects Jewish communities in the UK, warned that such coverage could have real-world consequences.
“In every episode they pick a topic and highlight large numbers of ordinary Jewish organisations, charities, schools and individuals,” the spokesperson said.
“They paint them all as genocidal, Zionist extremists who are infiltrating Britain.
“Given that this is being broadcast by Iranian state media, it obviously raises a concern about the safety of those people and organisations, which in turn requires a lot of security and monitoring work to mitigate any potential threats.”
Jewish News has approached Press TV for comment.
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