UK sanctions Iranian intelligence network accused of plotting attacks
Theo Al Jazeera English
The UK has imposed sanctions on an Iran-linked network accused of plotting attacks on British soil and abroad, laundering billions of dollars, and engaging in hostile activities. Nine individuals and three entities face travel bans, asset freezes, and director bans for their alleged roles in assassination and destabilization campaigns. The measures target the Zindashti criminal network and the Zarringhalam family, among others.
The UK government has imposed sanctions on an Iran-linked network accused of orchestrating attacks in Britain and elsewhere. The Foreign Office issued travel bans, asset freezes, and director bans against nine individuals and three entities linked to “Iran-backed hostile activity.”
The targets are accused of conspiring to attack and financing efforts to destabilize the UK and its allies on behalf of Iran. Among those sanctioned are alleged members and associates of the Zindashti criminal network, said to have threatened, planned, or carried out attacks against people and property in the UK and other locations.
Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, accused of leading the network, has been sanctioned by both the UK and the US since 2024. Officials at the time described him as the head of an international drug and human trafficking syndicate operating under the direction of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. The European Union imposed similar sanctions last year. London, Washington, and Brussels all allege the network conducted assassination and kidnapping campaigns targeting Iranian government critics.
Other individuals sanctioned by the UK include five members of the Zarringhalam family, accused of helping to fund destabilization efforts. Three family members were sanctioned by the US last year for their alleged role in Iran’s underground banking network. Washington said the network laundered billions of dollars through shell companies in the UAE and Hong Kong. Two currency exchanges linked to the family network, Berelian Exchange and GCM Exchange, were also listed.
Additionally, Turkish citizen Ekrem Oztunc, Azerbaijani Namiq Salifov, and Iranian Nihat Abdul Kadir Asan were named. All are accused of threatening, planning, or carrying out attacks in the UK or elsewhere. These sanctions are the latest in a series of UK measures against Iran in recent months, following separate sanctions in February targeting members of Iran’s security apparatus for violently suppressing widespread pro-reform protests earlier this year.
