US Treasury sanctions financier tied to Iran’s Supreme Leader, targets shadow banking network after Strait of Hormuz attacks

The sanctions, announced by the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), target Ali Ansari, a Dubai-based Iranian businessman accused of overseeing an extensive international portfolio of real estate and commercial assets for senior Iranian regime officials and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The action also blacklists several Iranian currency exchange houses that Treasury says move billions of dollars annually for sanctioned Iranian banks through shell companies and front businesses.

"The so-called Supreme Leader is hiding in seclusion while his regime crumbles," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. "Treasury will continue using every tool at its disposal to isolate him and other regime elites from the global financial system. We will preserve these assets for the Iranian people."

According to Treasury, Ansari built his fortune by allegedly "institutionalizing large-scale embezzlement" within Iran's financial system, diverting public funds into an overseas investment empire while enriching himself and senior regime officials.

Officials said Ansari previously owned and directed the now-defunct Ayandeh Bank, which allegedly issued billions of dollars in loans backed by Iran's central bank to Ansari's own companies before collapsing in 2025 under massive debt. Treasury alleges the bank's activities fueled inflation and damaged Iran's economy while Ansari expanded foreign holdings on behalf of Mojtaba Khamenei.

The Treasury Department said Ansari used shell companies and bank accounts across multiple jurisdictions to accumulate millions of dollars in overseas assets through Smart Global Limited, a holding company registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis. Those investments reportedly include real estate and commercial properties in Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, the United Kingdom, Cyprus, and the United Arab Emirates.

Although many of the holdings are listed under Ansari's name, Treasury alleges they ultimately benefit Mojtaba Khamenei, his family, other senior regime figures, and the IRGC. As part of Friday's action, OFAC designated both Ansari and Smart Global Limited under authorities targeting Iran's Supreme Leader's affiliates and entities supporting the IRGC.

Treasury also sanctioned three major Iranian exchange houses that officials say have become critical components of Iran's shadow banking system. Among those designated were Mohammad Darbani and Partners Exchange General Partnership Company, Lavasani and Partners General Partnership Company, and Mohsen Khandan and Partners General Partnership Company, along with several executives and partners associated with those firms.

According to Treasury, the businesses collectively hold and transfer billions of dollars in foreign currency for sanctioned Iranian banks while concealing transactions through complex layers of shell companies. Treasury said some of the exchange houses maintained contracts with numerous sanctioned Iranian financial institutions, including Bank Melli, Bank Saderat, Bank Mellat, Bank Sepah, Sina Bank, Parsian Bank, Shahr Bank, Tourism Bank, Karafarin Bank, Saman Bank, Tejarat Bank, Eghtesad Novin Bank, and Bank Pasargad.

The sanctions also extend to CDM Trading Limited, a Hong Kong-based front company, and Naba Alzaki Raw Materials Trading LLC, a United Arab Emirates-based business that Treasury says were used to facilitate financial transactions for Iran's shadow banking network.

Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals and entities that are within US jurisdiction are blocked. US persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions with them unless authorized by OFAC. Treasury also warned that foreign financial institutions could face secondary sanctions if they knowingly facilitate significant transactions involving the newly designated parties.

Friday's announcement builds on a series of recent Treasury actions targeting Iran's shadow banking and sanctions-evasion networks as the administration seeks to further isolate Tehran economically following heightened regional tensions and renewed Iranian attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.