From London Mansions to Dubai Villas: Inside the Global Property Empire of Khamenei’s Son

Iran: A new investigation has come to light regarding alleged foreign assets linked to Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran's supreme leader. A year-long investigation by Bloomberg claims that London's famous “Billionaires Row,” a network of luxury hotels in Europe and prime real estate in the Middle East are linked to Mojtaba Khamenei.

What has come to light in the investigation?

According to the report, many luxurious houses located on Bishops Avenue in North London have been purchased through shell companies. These houses are surrounded by private security and often remain vacant. It has been said that this network extends from Tehran to Dubai and Frankfurt.

Are these properties directly in the name of Mojtaba Khamenei?

Mojtaba Khamenei's name is not recorded as the owner in the documents. However, assessments by Western intelligence agencies and people familiar with the matter say he has been directly involved in these deals for the last decade.

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei and why is he considered important?

Mojtaba Khamenei, 56, is the second eldest son of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He is also seen as a potential successor. The report said that despite sanctions imposed by the US in 2019, foreign assets related to them continued to be purchased.

Where did the money for the properties come from?

According to Bloomberg, funds for these purchases were sent through banks in the UK, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the UAE. This money is said to be mainly related to Iran's oil exports. One property in London alone was purchased in 2014 for around 33.7 million euros.

What is the role of Ali Ansari in this network?

Many of the assets have been linked to Iranian businessman Ali Ansari, on whom Britain imposed sanctions last year. According to British officials, Ansari is accused of providing financial support to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, Ansari has denied these allegations through his lawyer and said that he has no personal or financial relationship with Mojtaba Khamenei.

Which assets to watch in Europe?

Apart from more than a dozen properties in London, hotels in Germany and Spain are also mentioned in the investigation. A hotel in Frankfurt, which later ran under the Hilton brand, is reportedly on the radar of local authorities. European officials say that if further sanctions are imposed, these assets may also be forcibly sold.

What does this revelation mean within Iran?

The supreme leader and his family have been described in Iran's state media as symbols of simplicity and religious life. In such a situation, these claims related to foreign assets do not match that image. The report has come at a time when public anger is increasing over corruption and economic difficulties in the country. “Aghazadeh”, the term used for the children of influential leaders in Iran, is once again in the news.

What could happen next?

Experts believe that if more international action is taken on the basis of these revelations, then legal pressure on the assets present in Europe may increase. At present, this case has become another example of the conflict between Iran's power, foreign money and political narrative.