On a peaceful, tree-lined avenue in north London often referred to as Billionaire’s Row, grand mansions sit quietly behind tall hedges, iron gates, and constant security. These homes appear almost abandoned—lights rarely on, residents seldom seen, and access tightly controlled. Yet beneath this silence lies what investigators describe as a vast international financial network stretching across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
A year-long investigation by Bloomberg News reveals that the ultimate beneficiary of this discreet global empire is Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Though largely unknown to the public, Mojtaba is believed to wield immense influence behind the scenes in Iran—and possibly beyond.
A Powerful Figure Who Operates Out of Sight
At 56, Mojtaba Khamenei is widely considered one of the most powerful individuals in Iran despite holding no formal government position. Rarely photographed and seldom mentioned in official settings, he is often described by analysts as a political power broker operating in the shadows. Many observers also view him as a potential successor to his 86-year-old father.
Western intelligence assessments and individuals familiar with the financial trail claim Mojtaba oversees a far-reaching overseas investment network valued at hundreds of millions of dollars, and potentially much more. Notably, several of these assets were acquired years before he was personally sanctioned by the United States in 2019.
Luxury Properties Spanning Continents
According to documents and records reviewed during the investigation, the network’s assets include an impressive portfolio of high-end real estate across multiple countries:
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More than a dozen luxury properties in London, including residences on The Bishops Avenue, with individual purchases exceeding £33 million
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A lavish villa in Dubai’s most elite residential enclave, often compared to Beverly Hills
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Five-star hotels in Frankfurt and Spain’s Mallorca
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Premium real estate holdings in Paris
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A penthouse at Toronto’s Four Seasons Private Residences, sold in 2020 for C$10.5 million
These properties are typically owned through layers of offshore companies, making direct ownership difficult to trace.
Tracing the Flow of Money
Investigators say funds used for these acquisitions were routed through banks and financial institutions in the UK, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Cyprus, and the UAE. According to multiple sources, much of the capital originated from Iranian oil revenues, moved through complex trading structures designed to evade international sanctions.
This system reportedly relied on opaque corporate entities and intermediaries, allowing the wealth to circulate globally while remaining shielded from scrutiny.
The Financial Gatekeeper
At the center of this network is Ali Ansari, a 57-year-old Iranian construction tycoon and banker. In October, British authorities sanctioned Ansari, labeling him a “corrupt Iranian banker and businessman” who provided financial support to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—a powerful military force directly accountable to the Supreme Leader.
While Ansari is not currently sanctioned by the United States or the European Union, intelligence reports and corporate filings consistently identify him as a key financial intermediary for Mojtaba Khamenei.
His name appears across numerous offshore companies linked to property acquisitions and oil trading operations. These firms are registered in jurisdictions such as Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Isle of Man, Luxembourg, and the UAE, and include entities like Ziba Leisure Ltd., Birch Ventures Ltd., A&A Leisure Ltd., and Midas Oil Trading DMCC.
A Network Built on Secrecy
Experts say the structure of the empire reflects a sophisticated strategy designed to conceal ownership, bypass sanctions, and protect assets from political risk. While Mojtaba Khamenei maintains a public image of religious modesty, the investigation highlights a striking contrast between that image and the scale of wealth allegedly linked to him.
Why It Matters
As global attention intensifies on Iran’s leadership and succession planning, revelations about offshore wealth and international assets raise fresh questions about power, accountability, and sanctions enforcement. The findings underscore how political influence, secrecy, and global finance can intersect—often far from public view.
