Full Breakdown
London Apartments Near Israeli Embassy Put Up for Sale Amid Iranian Sanctions
9/7/2026, 2:22:10 PM
Sale of High-Profile Properties
Two luxury apartments on Palace Green in Kensington, located less than 50 meters from the Israeli embassy, have been placed on the market. The units, on the sixth and seventh floors of the same building, were bought in 2014 and 2016 for £16.75 million and £19 million respectively. One is now listed for £12 million; the price of the second has not been disclosed. The properties include servants’ quarters and private roof terraces.
Ownership History and Recent Sanctions
British media reported that the apartments were acquired through a network of intermediaries and are believed to belong to Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader. Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role after his father, Ali Khamenei, was killed in the opening strikes of the U.S.–Israeli war with Iran on February 28. The holdings are part of a broader portfolio of London real estate linked to the Khamenei family, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars according to a Bloomberg investigation.
Iranian banker Ali Ansari, described by UK authorities as a “corrupt Iranian banker and businessman” who facilitated hostile activity, was sanctioned by the United Kingdom in October 2025 and by the United States in July 2025 for alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Following the sanctions, Ansari allegedly defaulted on the mortgages, prompting the British government to order the sale of the apartments. Ansari has denied any financial or personal relationship with Mojtaba Khamenei or the IRGC and says he will contest the sanctions.
Security Concerns Over Proximity to the Embassy
Security analysts have warned that the apartments’ location could enable a range of surveillance activities against the Israeli embassy, including visual monitoring, audio capture of outdoor conversations, and “laser-assisted monitoring of window vibrations” to extract speech. The same specialists noted that the short distance could also facilitate hacking of the embassy’s wireless networks. In March, two men appeared in a London court charged with spying for Iran on targets that included the Israeli embassy, consulate, and Jewish institutions.
Official Responses
The United Kingdom’s sanctions announcement labeled Ansari as a conduit for “hostile activity” and highlighted his role in supporting the IRGC. The U.S. Treasury’s statement accused him of using overseas real estate to benefit Khamenei, other Iranian elites, and the IRGC. Ansari’s legal team has stated that he will challenge both the sanctions and the allegations of wrongdoing.
Key Figures and Figures
- Mojtaba Khamenei – Iran’s Supreme Leader, appointed after his father’s death on February 28.
- Ali Ansari – Iranian banker sanctioned by the UK and U.S., alleged frontman for Khamenei.
- Roger Macmillan – Terrorism and security specialist who warned of potential embassy surveillance.
The sale of these high-value properties underscores ongoing diplomatic tensions and heightened security scrutiny surrounding Iranian activities in the United Kingdom.
