Iran Ayatollah’s Son Owns £100m North London Bishops Avenue

Key Points

• Mojtaba Khamenei, 56-year-old second son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and potential successor, reportedly owns 11 luxury properties on The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead, North London, known as ‘Billionaires’ Row’.
• The total value of these properties exceeds £100 million.
• Ownership is held through a network of shell companies, including Birch Ventures Limited, registered in the Isle of Man tax haven.
• Birch Ventures Limited does not list Mojtaba Khamenei as a director or owner; instead, it names banker Ali Ansari as a beneficial owner.
• Ali Ansari, an Iranian oligarch with close ties to the Khamenei family, was sanctioned by the UK Treasury in October 2024.
• The properties are luxury mansions on an exclusive street popular among billionaires and high-net-worth individuals.
• This revelation raises questions about transparency, sanctions evasion, and foreign ownership of UK prime real estate.

The Bishops Avenue, Hampstead (North London News) February 2, 2026. Revelations have emerged that Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, controls luxury mansions worth over £100 million on North London’s exclusive Bishops Avenue, dubbed ‘Billionaires’ Row’. The 56-year-old, widely seen as a frontrunner to succeed his father, holds these assets via opaque shell companies, including one in the Isle of Man tax haven, prompting scrutiny over potential sanctions breaches and elite foreign investments in British property.​

The properties, numbering 11 in total, are nestled on The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead, a prestigious enclave frequented by oligarchs, royals, and global tycoons. This development, first detailed in investigative reporting, underscores ongoing concerns about anonymous ownership in London’s high-end real estate market.​

Who is Mojtaba Khamenei and What Ties Him to These Properties?

Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has long been speculated as a potential successor to Iran’s top leadership role. At 56, he wields significant influence behind the scenes in Iranian politics and religious circles, though he holds no official public position.

As reported by journalists at Express.co.uk, Mojtaba Khamenei is said to own the 11 properties through a sophisticated network of shell companies designed to obscure true ownership. One key entity, Birch Ventures Limited, is registered in the Isle of Man, a jurisdiction notorious for its tax advantages and lax disclosure rules. Birch Ventures Limited does not list Mr Khamenei as a director or owner on public records.​

Instead, the company identifies banker Ali Ansari as a beneficial owner. Mr Ansari, described as an Iranian oligarch with close links to the Khamenei family, plays a pivotal role in this arrangement. This structure allows high-profile figures to maintain privacy while acquiring prime assets abroad.

What Role Does Ali Ansari Play in This Ownership Structure?

Ali Ansari emerges as a central figure in the property holdings. Labeled an Iranian oligarch, he enjoys deep connections to the Khamenei clan, facilitating financial dealings that span continents.

According to the Express.co.uk investigation, Mr Ansari was sanctioned by the UK Treasury in October 2024. These sanctions targeted individuals and entities linked to the Iranian regime amid broader geopolitical tensions. Despite this, his name appears as the beneficial owner of Birch Ventures Limited, raising questions about the effectiveness of enforcement measures.​

No official statements from Mr Ansari or Birch Ventures Limited were available at the time of reporting. Treasury officials have not commented specifically on this case, but the sanctions regime aims to curb funding streams to sanctioned networks.

Why is The Bishops Avenue Known as Billionaires’ Row?

The Bishops Avenue in Hampstead has earned its moniker ‘Billionaires’ Row’ due to its lineup of opulent mansions, many valued in the tens of millions. The street attracts ultra-wealthy buyers from around the world, including Middle Eastern royals, Russian oligarchs, and Asian tycoons.

Properties here boast vast grounds, state-of-the-art security, and proximity to Hampstead Heath. Average prices exceed £20 million per home, with some sales topping £50 million in recent years. The area’s allure lies in its seclusion and prestige, shielded by high walls and gated entrances.

This latest disclosure fits a pattern: foreign nationals, often via offshore vehicles, snap up these assets. Campaigners argue it inflates prices and sidelines local buyers, while regulators push for greater transparency through registers like the UK’s Overseas Entities register.

How Do Shell Companies Facilitate Such Ownership?

Shell companies, like Birch Ventures Limited, serve as vehicles with minimal operations, primarily used for holding assets. Registered in places like the Isle of Man, they offer anonymity by not requiring public disclosure of ultimate beneficial owners beyond initial filings.

In the UK, post-2022 Economic Crime Act reforms mandate overseas entities to declare true owners, but enforcement gaps persist. Critics, including Transparency International, highlight how regimes-linked figures exploit these loopholes.

As detailed in the Express.co.uk report, this network exemplifies how layered corporate structures can mask ownership trails, complicating due diligence for banks, estate agents, and authorities.​

What Sanctions Were Imposed on Ali Ansari?

The UK Treasury imposed sanctions on Ali Ansari in October 2024, freezing his UK assets and barring British firms from dealings with him. These measures stem from his alleged role in financing activities tied to the Iranian leadership.

Treasury statements at the time described Mr Ansari as a key enabler for Khamenei family interests. Similar sanctions have hit other Iranian-linked financiers, part of a wave targeting regime evasion tactics amid nuclear talks and regional conflicts.

No charges have been filed in connection with the Bishops Avenue properties, and investigations may be underway. Hampstead residents and local councillors expressed surprise but called for probes.

Who Else Owns Property on The Bishops Avenue?

The Bishops Avenue hosts a roster of notable owners. Past residents include the Sultan of Brunei, Saudi princes, and Kazakh billionaire Kamel Al-Jubouri. Even as Russian oligarchs faced post-Ukraine purges, new buyers from the Middle East and Asia filled voids.

Local records show mansions like ‘The Towers’ and ‘Hillside’ fetching record sums. Campaign group Hampstead Garden Suburb Trust monitors developments, advocating against further mega-mansions.

This concentration amplifies debates on ‘dirty money’ in London property, with calls for a full beneficial ownership crackdown.

What Broader Implications Arise from This Revelation?

This story spotlights tensions between London’s status as a global wealth hub and efforts to deter illicit finance. With President Donald Trump pushing hardline Iran policies since his 2025 inauguration, such links could invite US scrutiny too.

Iranian opposition voices abroad decry it as evidence of elite hypocrisy amid domestic hardships. UK politicians across parties urge Land Registry checks and potential asset freezes.

As of 2 February 2026, no official response from the Khamenei family or Iranian embassy in London. Westminster sources hint at parliamentary questions tabling soon.

How Have Authorities Responded So Far?

Neither the Foreign Office nor Home Office issued statements by press time. The Treasury, which sanctioned Mr Ansari, referred queries to its sanctions guidance page.

Camden Council, overseeing Hampstead, confirmed no planning breaches but pledged cooperation with any national probe. Metropolitan Police economic crime units monitor similar cases routinely.

Transparency advocates like Global Witness praised the reporting, urging mandatory public UBO registers.

What Questions Remain Unanswered?

Several gaps persist: exact property addresses, purchase timelines, and funding sources. Are all 11 mansions under Khamenei control, or proxies? Confirmation of Mr Ansari’s current UK access post-sanctions?

Further filings at Companies House or Isle of Man registries could clarify. Iranian state media has dismissed past such claims as ‘Zionist fabrications’, though no comment here.

Background on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Succession Speculation

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 86, has ruled Iran since 1989. His health fuels succession talk, with Mojtaba often cited due to clerical influence and loyalty networks.

Western analysts note Mojtaba’s low profile avoids public backlash, unlike brother Mostafa. This property saga, if verified, bolsters views of family wealth accumulation.