A man who is said to be a close associate of the new ayatollah has been given permission to build 33 luxury flats in north London.
Ali Ansari, who was added to the UK sanctions list in October, received the green light for his investment project at the exclusive Bishops Avenue in Barnet.
This is despite Mr Ansari’s provision of ‘support to hostile activity’ by the government of Iran.
Politicians and housing experts have now raised concerns about the due diligence completed by councils and services firms.
Planning records show how the prominent Iranian financer – whose role as managing director of an Iranian bank was previously in the pubic domain – was able to command the services of prestigious professional firms to help manage the project.
Real estate company Savills agreed to manage planning amendments for Mr Ansari’s Isle of Man company, Birch Ventures Limited, in June 2025 – four months before he was placed on the sanctions list.
More firms were soon instructed by Mr Ansari’s company, prior to the sanction, including the developer Harrison Varma, Wolff Architects, and DS2 LLP, an organisation that advises on affordable housing requirements.
However, critics have now accused those who assisted Mr Ansari of failing to carry out their due diligence.
Ali Ansari (pictured), who was added to the UK sanctions list in October, received the green light for his investment project at the exclusive Bishops Avenue in Barnet
Pictured: Bishops Avenue – also known as Billionaire’s Row
Mr Ansari’s planners were also able to convince officials he should not have to provide any affordable housing within the development as this would make the project unviable.
Barnet council instead accepted a cash payment.
Margot Mollat, a senior research and policy manager at Transparency International UK, told the Times that by 2025 there was ‘already enough information in the public domain to raise real concerns about the source of his funds as a prominent businessman from a state with high corruption risks’.
She added: ‘Property purchases and planning applications involve lawyers, banks, real estate agents and developers, all of whom should have flagged these transactions given the risks associated with Ansari.’
Joe Powell, Labour MP for Kensington & Bayswater, added: ‘If professional service providers are acting for a company owned by an Iranian linked to [Mojtaba Khamenei] then it’s clear that further steps need to be taken to have a fully open register of foreign-owned property, with accurate information about the ultimate owners.’
Roger Gherson, a lawyer for Ansari, strongly denied any financial relationship with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or the new supreme leader.
He said: ‘It is his (Mr Ansari’s) intention to challenge the UK government’s decision to impose sanctions. In these circumstances where litigation is anticipated he has no further comment, although he would ask the media not to repeat these unfounded allegations.’
Barnet Council was approached for comment.
