Ahl-e-Bait TV, an Islamic, Shia TV channel, was founded by Hassan Allahyari in 2009. It is located in San Diego, California with a studio in Iraq. Previous studios in Isfahan and Qom, Iran were closed in December 2010 by the Special Court for Clerics of the Iranian Government. The alleged reason for their closure was the claim that he is trying to destroy the "unity of Shias and Sunnis" and 'to sow discord". However, it is believed that the real reason behind their closure is his criticism of Iranian government and the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, governmental websites and weblogs have attacked his credibility and his true intentions of establishing Ahl-e-Bait TV, claiming that he is a "servant" of the United States.