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UK sanctions Iran-linked network, cites attack plots and finance ...
LONDON, May 11 (Reuters) - Britain on Monday sanctioned 12 individuals and entities linked to Iran, accusing them of involvement in hostile activity including plotting attacks and providing financial services to groups seeking to destabilise the UK and other countries.Those targeted by the sanctions include alleged members and associates of what the British government described as the Zindashti criminal network, as well as several exchange houses and financial operators. Sign up here.The government said the network was involved in Iranian-backed hostile activity, including threatening, planning or conducting attacks against people and assets in Britain and elsewhere.Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in attacks or plots in the UK and other countries.According to the notice, some individuals were sanctioned for directly participating in hostile acts, while others were accused of providing financial services or other material support to facilitate such activity.The measures, set out in a government sanctions notice, include asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualification orders.Britain said the financial entities sanctioned had provided services to individuals and groups linked to destabilising activity, allowing networks connected to Iran to move and access funds despite international restrictions.Last month, police said they were investigating possible Iran links to a recent series of arson attacks on Jewish targets in London, which prompted counter-terrorism inquiries and warnings about hostile activity by Tehran or groups acting on its behalf.The UK raised its national terrorism threat level to "severe", the second-highest rating, with police and ministers warning of an elevated risk of attacks and growing concern about hostile activity linked to foreign states, including Iran.Reporting by Sam Tabahriti, editing by William JamesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab
UK sanctions network accused of planning attacks for Iran
London freezes assets and travel for those accused of laundering billions and plotting Iranian-backed hostile activity.The British government has imposed sanctions on an Iranian-linked network accused of plotting attacks in the UK and elsewhere.The Foreign Office has issued travel bans, asset freezes and director disqualification orders to nine people and three entities, linked to “Iranian-backed hostile activity”.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3US sanctions Iraqi minister accused of aiding Iran oil saleslist 2 of 3‘Unacceptable’: What’s Iran’s peace proposal that Trump has rejected?list 3 of 3What is China’s anti-sanctions law and how does it work?end of listThey are accused of plotting attacks and financing efforts to destabilise Britain and its allies on behalf of Iran.The sanctioned include alleged members and associates of the Zindashti criminal network, accused of threatening, planning or conducting attacks against people and assets in Britain and elsewhere.Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, the network’s alleged leader, was sanctioned by both Britain and the United States in 2024. Authorities described him at the time as the head of an international drug and trafficking cartel directed by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.The European Union followed with its own designations last year.London, Washington and Brussels have all accused the network of conducting assassination and kidnapping operations, targeting critics of the Iranian government.BillionsOthers sanctioned by the UK included five members of the Zarringhalam family, who are accused of helping finance destabilisation efforts.Three of the family were sanctioned by the United States last year for their alleged role in Iran’s shadow banking network. Washington said it laundered billions of dollars through front companies in the UAE and Hong Kong.Two exchange houses linked to the family’s network, Berelian Exchange and GCM Exchange, were also designated.Also named are Turkish national Ekrem Oztunc, Namiq Salifov from Azerbaijan and Nihat Abdul Kadir Asan from Iran. All are accused of threatening, planning or conducting attacks in the UK or elsewhere.The designations are the latest in a series of measures Britain has taken against Iran in recent months. They follow separate sanctions issued in February targeting members of Iran’s security apparatus for violently suppressing widespread pro-reform protests earlier this year.
UK Sanctions 12 Linked to Iran for Attack Plots, Financial Operations
The government said the network was involved in Iranian-backed hostile activity, including threatening, planning or conducting attacks against people and assets in Britain and elsewhere. Iran's Response Iran has repeatedly denied involvement in attacks or plots in the UK and other countries. Details of Sanctions and Measures
UK Imposes 12 New Sanctions on Iran-Linked Attack Plotters
Britain has announced 12 new sanctions against individuals and entities accused of planning attacks on UK soil on behalf of Iran, targeting key networks.
