Multiple senior figures connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC) and individuals with close ties to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's supreme leader, have reportedly acquired significant property holdings in some of London's most exclusive neighborhoods. These acquisitions include mansions on "Billionaires' Row," specifically The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead, and properties in areas like St John's Wood.
A key figure identified is Ali Ansari, a banker previously linked to Iran's Ayandeh Bank, which reportedly collapsed with substantial debts. Ansari was placed under UK sanctions on October 30th, facing allegations of corruption and claims that he helped "financially support the activities of the IRGC." These sanctions include an asset freeze and a UK travel ban. Despite not being listed as a director of active UK companies, analysis suggests Ansari has been a frequent visitor to Britain. A property owned by Ansari is described as featuring three large reception rooms, an indoor swimming pool, a cinema, games rooms, a library, and eight en-suite bedrooms.
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Further reports suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei, the second eldest son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has been involved in building a global property empire, allegedly through a network of shell companies.== This network reportedly includes a house on The Bishops Avenue purchased for £33.7 million in 2014. While Mojtaba Khamenei has not held a formal government position, he is described as wielding influence behind the scenes.
Financial Linkages and Market Vulnerabilities
The report indicates that Mojtaba Khamenei allegedly built his property empire through Ali Ansari, with Birch Ventures Limited listing Ansari as a beneficial owner. Sources cited in reports suggest Khamenei owns properties via a network of shell companies, some registered in offshore tax havens like the Isle of Man. Ansari's former involvement with Ayandeh Bank, which collapsed adding to Iran's economic difficulties, is also noted.
The situation highlights concerns about the use of high-value real estate as a means to protect wealth and obscure its origins. Luxury property transactions are characterized by a relative lack of stringent regulation compared to financial institutions, potentially allowing for wealth to be integrated into tangible assets and bypass conventional oversight. Even when financial accounts are frozen, real estate assets can remain intact due to varied and less harmonized international regulations.
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Background on Allegations and Sanctions
Ali Ansari has reportedly denied any wrongdoing, with a spokesperson describing the allegations against him as "baseless and emphatically denied and clearly political in nature." He is understood to have also held Cypriot and St. Kitts & Nevis passports and possesses retail and real estate assets in Iran, the UK, and the UAE.
Reports suggest that Mojtaba Khamenei, carrying the clerical rank of Hojjatoleslam, has not held a formal role in the Islamic Republic's government but exercises influence as a gatekeeper to his father, according to observers of Iran.
The UK's Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation was contacted for comment regarding Ansari, but no response was received before publication. The Treasury sanction statements made no explicit reference linking Mr. Khamenei directly to Mr. Ansari.