London Penthouses Linked to Iran’s Supreme Leader Put Up for Sale

LONDON, Sep 6: Two luxury London penthouses linked to Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, with a combined purchase value of about £36 million, have been put up for sale after entering receivership, according to The Sunday Times.

The properties are located at 3a Palace Green, an exclusive development overlooking Kensington Palace. One five-bedroom duplex, spanning nearly 3,944 square feet across the sixth and seventh floors, was purchased for £19 million in 2016 and is now being marketed for just under £12 million by Knight Frank and Sotheby’s International Realty. The second penthouse, bought for £16.75 million in 2014, occupies the seventh and eighth floors and has not been publicly listed with an asking price.

Land Registry documents reportedly identify Iranian banker Ali Ansari as the registered owner of both properties. Ansari was sanctioned by the US Treasury in July, which described him as a key financier for Khamenei and alleged that he oversees a global network of assets benefiting Iran’s leadership. Britain had previously sanctioned Ansari over allegations of financing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), claims he is understood to deny.

The properties reportedly entered receivership after Ansari defaulted on their mortgages, with private lenders appointing receivers to recover outstanding funds. The British government is believed to have authorized their sale, according to The Sunday Times. Any proceeds left after repayment of the lenders are expected to remain frozen while Ansari is subject to sanctions.

The newspaper reported that several prospective buyers have already viewed the properties amid significant interest. It also said neither Khamenei nor Ansari has been seen by staff at the development since the apartments were acquired.

The report comes amid continued uncertainty surrounding Mojtaba Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since his father was reportedly killed in US-Israeli airstrikes in February. His current condition and whereabouts remain unclear.