Two opulent duplex apartments situated in London's prestigious Palace Green, in close proximity to Kensington Palace, are now on the market. These properties are associated with Ali Ansari, an Iranian national designated as a financial facilitator by the U.S. Treasury and subject to international sanctions. Ansari, the founder of the now-defunct Bank of the Future, acquired the apartments for a substantial sum but is reportedly selling them significantly below his purchase price after facing financial difficulties and sanctions. The British authorities have permitted the sale, which is expected to see any remaining funds frozen due to Ansari's sanctions, underscoring concerns about covert foreign influence in the UK.

Two opulent duplex apartments situated in London's prestigious Palace Green, in close proximity to Kensington Palace, are now on the market. These properties are associated with Ali Ansari, an Iranian national designated as a financial facilitator by the U.S. Treasury and subject to international sanctions. Ansari, the founder of the now-defunct Bank of the Future, acquired the apartments for a substantial sum but is reportedly selling them significantly below his purchase price after facing financial difficulties and sanctions. The British authorities have permitted the sale, which is expected to see any remaining funds frozen due to Ansari's sanctions, underscoring concerns about covert foreign influence in the UK.

Two opulent duplex apartments situated in London's prestigious Palace Green, in close proximity to Kensington Palace, are now on the market. These properties are associated with Ali Ansari, an Iranian national designated as a financial facilitator by the U.S. Treasury and subject to international sanctions. Ansari, the founder of the now-defunct Bank of the Future, acquired the apartments for a substantial sum but is reportedly selling them significantly below his purchase price after facing financial difficulties and sanctions. The British authorities have permitted the sale, which is expected to see any remaining funds frozen due to Ansari's sanctions, underscoring concerns about covert foreign influence in the UK.

The apartments are at 3a Palace Green and are close to the official London residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. One is a five-bedroom duplex covering 3,944 square feet across the sixth and seventh floors, while the second penthouse occupies the seventh and eighth floors of the same building, according to The Sunday Times.

The property is being offered for sale by Knight Frank and Sotheby's Real Estate. Knight Frank described the property in the listing as an “exceptional duplex penthouse with staff accommodation and unrivalled views over Kensington Gardens.

The brochure does not identify its politically sensitive connections but notes: “Due to the property being in receivership, we do not have all of the material information for the property; therefore you should ensure you make all relevant inquiries,” the report said.

However, the property is in the name of Ali Ansari, the founder of the defunct Bank of the Future. He bought them for a combined total of nearly £36 million, and they were put up for sale after he was banned.

Ansari bought the five-bedroom apartment in 2016 for £19 million, but it is now listed for just under £12 million.

On July 9, the US Treasury Department identified Ansari as a "financial facilitator" of the Islamic Republic and placed him on its sanctions list. According to the ministry, Ansari has embezzled billions of dollars from the Iranian people's assets and oversees a vast, global network of assets that serve the interests of Mojtaba Khamenei and other senior government officials.

It is believed that the British government recently authorised the sale of these two apartments after Ansari's inability to repay his mortgages.

Since Ansari has been on the sanctions list since November 2025 for financing the Revolutionary Guard Corps, he is banned from entering the UK, and all his assets in the country have been frozen. Any money left over from the sale of the apartments after paying off debts is expected to be frozen by the British government while Ansari is under sanctions.

The building is located near the Israeli embassy, ​​which is guarded by armed officers from the London Metropolitan Police. According to the Sunday Times, the properties have been very well received by potential buyers and have been viewed several times.

The Sunday Times wrote that the location of these properties near the official residence of Prince William and his wife is an example of the Islamic Republic's covert influence in senior British circles.

Two luxury apartments linked to the Islamic Republic's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, have been put up for sale in a building overlooking Kensington Palace in London, according to a report.

The apartments are at 3a Palace Green and are close to the official London residence of the Prince and Princess of Wales. One is a five-bedroom duplex covering 3,944 square feet across the sixth and seventh floors, while the second penthouse occupies the seventh and eighth floors of the same building, according to The Sunday Times.

The property is being offered for sale by Knight Frank and Sotheby's Real Estate. Knight Frank described the property in the listing as an “exceptional duplex penthouse with staff accommodation and unrivalled views over Kensington Gardens.

The brochure does not identify its politically sensitive connections but notes: “Due to the property being in receivership, we do not have all of the material information for the property; therefore you should ensure you make all relevant inquiries,” the report said.

However, the property is in the name of Ali Ansari, the founder of the defunct Bank of the Future. He bought them for a combined total of nearly £36 million, and they were put up for sale after he was banned.

Ansari bought the five-bedroom apartment in 2016 for £19 million, but it is now listed for just under £12 million.

On July 9, the US Treasury Department identified Ansari as a "financial facilitator" of the Islamic Republic and placed him on its sanctions list. According to the ministry, Ansari has embezzled billions of dollars from the Iranian people's assets and oversees a vast, global network of assets that serve the interests of Mojtaba Khamenei and other senior government officials.

It is believed that the British government recently authorised the sale of these two apartments after Ansari's inability to repay his mortgages.

Since Ansari has been on the sanctions list since November 2025 for financing the Revolutionary Guard Corps, he is banned from entering the UK, and all his assets in the country have been frozen. Any money left over from the sale of the apartments after paying off debts is expected to be frozen by the British government while Ansari is under sanctions.

The building is located near the Israeli embassy, ​​which is guarded by armed officers from the London Metropolitan Police. According to the Sunday Times, the properties have been very well received by potential buyers and have been viewed several times.

The Sunday Times wrote that the location of these properties near the official residence of Prince William and his wife is an example of the Islamic Republic's covert influence in senior British circles.

TAGS