UK’s ‘Billionaires’ Row’ homes linked to hardliner tipped to take over Iran | Politics | News | EUROtoday

An Iranian banker sanctioned by the UK over hyperlinks to the despotic Islamic Republic has been allowed to maintain his property empire in one in all London’s richest neighbourhoods. But the mansions could also be linked to Mojtaba Khamenei, the second-eldest son of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei – and now seen because the favorite to take over the federal government of Iran, after his father was killed in Israeli and US airstrikes.

Conservatives are demanding an pressing investigation into fears that the UK has grow to be a haven for individuals linked to the Iranian authorities to cover their wealth, as Britain’s allies proceed their battle towards the Islamic Republic. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel mentioned: “The UK has turned a blind eye to the fact that senior figures in the despotic Iranian regime have been parking their wealth and assets in London while brutally repressing their own people, sponsoring terrorism and attacking our allies.

“I have called on the Government to follow the regime’s finances, including their assets, and ensure all sanctions are enforced.

“This requires action today, and anyone associated with this malign regime must be investigated. We must use every lever to take action against them and their crimes.

“Britain cannot be a bolthole for the financial interests of Tehran’s ruling elite. The UK also cannot be a sanctuary for enforcers of repression if those linked to the regime seek to flee Iran.”

Mansions in The Bishops Avenue, referred to as “Billionaire’s Row”, have been bought for £73million by a agency owned by banker Ali Ansari, who the UK Government accuses of actions “intended to cause the destabilisation of the United Kingdom”. He denies the claims.

Mr Ansari is alleged to be a entrance for Mojtaba Khamenei, in line with an investigation by the Bloomberg information company. Mr Ansari denies any monetary relationship between the pair.

Properties within the plush road in Finchley, north London, have been obtained by a enterprise known as Birch Ventures Ltd in 2013 for £73million.

The firm, registered within the Isle of Man, lists Ali Ansari as its sole “beneficial owner”. The banker additionally purchased a property in his personal identify known as Jersey House for £33.7 million in 2014.

Ansari was sanctioned by the UK Government in October 2025, when he was banned from travelling to Britain, and his belongings have been frozen.

Foreign Office minister Hamish Falconer mentioned the motion was taken due to Ansari’s function financially supporting the actions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which report on to Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The IRGC took half in a crackdown on current protests that led to an estimated 30,000 civilian deaths.

According to the UK Governmnent, Ansari “facilitated and provided support to hostile activity by the Government of Iran, namely providing economic resources to the IRGC and individuals who have undertaken activity which is intended to cause the destabilisation of the United Kingdom or any other country.”

Ansari is reported to have hyperlinks to Mojtaba Khamenei. Bloomberg claimed that “ultimate ownership” traces of the Bishops Avenue properties traces again to the previous Ayatollah’s son, by a sequence of shell firms.

Despite this, and the raging battle within the Gulf that noticed Iran’s proxy Hezbollah launch a drone assault on a UK base in Cyprus, Birch Ventures Ltd remains to be listed because the proprietor of the properties.

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is considered simply as hardline as his father, and to oppose bettering relations with western international locations. A brand new supreme chief for Iran will chosen by the 88-strong “Assembly of Experts” and Khamenei is considered the favorite – though President Donald Trump has dismissed him as a “lightweight” and recommended that the US ought to have a say.

Mr Ansari’s lawyer, Roger Gherson, mentioned: “Mr Ansari, in response to damaging allegations in the international media, vehemently denies any financial relationship with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or the son of the former supreme leader.

“It is his intention to challenge the UK Government’s decision to impose sanctions.

“In these circumstances, where litigation is anticipated, he has no further comment, although he would ask the media not to repeat these unfounded allegations.”

Some of the mansions on The Bishops Avenue fell into destroy and college students calling themselves “urban explorers” entered the dilapidated properties, posting movies to TikTok. At least three, known as The Georgians, Redcroft and Ilkley House, have since been demolished however information held by the UK Registry Office present Birch Ventures Ltd continues to personal the land, which is ripe for future redevelopment.

A Reform UK spokesman mentioned: “For such a high-ranking Iranian official to have amassed such a significant portfolio in our capital represents a massive security failure by successive Labour and Conservative governments.

“Any UK assets connected to this vile regime must be seized immediately. Britain must not become a haven for dirty money.”

The UK has additionally sanctioned the IRGC and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper introduced sanctions in February on ten Iranians, together with IRGC members, politicians and police chiefs.

However it has not adopted the US, EU, Australia and Canada in classifying the IRGC as a terror group.

The Government says it retains the checklist of proscribed organisations “under close review” however says it “will not routinely comment on whether an organisation is or is not being considered for proscription”.

The Middle East has been in turmoil after Hamas, a Gaza-based terror group sponsored by Iran, launched a murderous assault on Israeli civilians on October 7 2023. It sparked a wave of Israeli retaliation towards Hamas, killing an estimated 70,000 Palestinians in line with a press release by an Israeli official in January, and towards Iran’s different proxy militias in Lebanon and Syria.