Politis

Iranian Tycoon with Cypriot Passport 'Funds Iran's Ayatollahs' - What the Financial Times Reveals

Published January 27, 2026, 12:21
Iranian Tycoon with Cypriot Passport 'Funds Iran's Ayatollahs' - What the Financial Times Reveals

Iranian tycoon Ali Ansari, who is subject to sanctions in the United Kingdom as an alleged financier of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard, has channeled hundreds of millions of euros into a portfolio of properties across continental Europe. His family is linked to the collapsed Iranian bank Ayandeh, leading to the freezing of his assets in London. According to the Financial Times, Ansari owns hotels and shopping centers in countries such as Germany, Spain, and Austria through offshore companies, and holds passports from Iran, Cyprus, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. The case highlights how individuals connected to the Iranian regime manage to circumvent Western economic sanctions.