US sanctions key Iranian "financier" after Tehran resumes attacks in Strait of Hormuz
Washington DC, July 11
The United States on Friday imposed sanctions on Dubai-based Iranian "financier" Ali Ansari, following Tehran's resumption of attacks on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Treasury Department described Ansari as a "key financier" for Iran's Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and accused him of large-scale, institutionalised embezzlement within the Iranian regime.
"Today, following Iran's resumption of attacks on international shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against Iranian financial facilitator Ali Ansari, who oversees a sprawling global network of assets benefiting Iran's leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, and other regime elites," the Treasury Department said in an official release.
"Ansari has effectively institutionalised large-scale embezzlement within the Iranian regime, diverting publicly funded wealth into an extensive overseas portfolio of real estate and commercial holdings to enrich himself, regime elites--including notable senior figures within the Supreme Leader's Office--and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)," the statement added.
According to the Treasury Department, Ansari built his reputation by institutionalising embezzlement within the regime. He amassed a global network of investment properties and financial holdings, both on behalf of Mojtaba Khamenei and for his own self-serving interests, leveraging his close ties to regime elites to enrich himself and his allies at the expense of the Iranian people.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent welcomed the move, stating that these assets would be preserved for the Iranian people.
"The so-called Supreme Leader is hiding in seclusion while his regime crumbles. The 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," Bessent wrote on X.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The US always plays its geopolitics through sanctions. But honestly, Iran's aggression in the Strait is unacceptable. India needs to be firm with both Tehran and Washington to protect our own interests.
Good move. The IRGC and these so-called leaders have been robbing the Iranian people blind for decades. Freezing assets and preserving them for the people is the right approach. Hopefully other nations like India join this effort.
While I support curbing attacks on shipping, the US needs to be consistent. They sanction Iran but look the other way when it comes to other regional actors. India's foreign policy should be based on principles, not just aligning with Washington.
It's about time! The IRGC has been a destabilizing force in the Middle East. And this "Ali Ansari" sounds like a classic frontman. Sanctions are slow but they do isolate these guys. 🇮🇳🌐
Sanctions are a blunt tool. They often hurt ordinary people more than the elites. Yes, the attacks are wrong, but let's not forget that the US itself has a history of similar actions. India should tread carefully and maintain diplomatic balance.
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