UK imposes sanctions on suspected Iranian attack network operation

British Government Imposes Sanctions on Iranian-Linked Network

The British government has imposed travel bans, asset freezes, and director disqualification orders on nine individuals and three entities linked to “Iranian-backed hostile activity”. The Foreign Office announced the sanctions on Monday, targeting those accused of plotting attacks in the UK and elsewhere. The sanctioned individuals and entities are alleged members and associates of the Zindashti criminal network.

Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, the alleged leader of the network, was previously sanctioned by both Britain and the United States in 2024. Authorities described him as the head of an international drug and trafficking cartel directed by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. The European Union also designated the network last year.

The UK has accused the Zindashti network of conducting assassination and kidnapping operations, targeting critics of the Iranian government. Other sanctioned individuals include members of the Zarringhalam family, who are accused of helping finance destabilisation efforts. Five members of the family were previously sanctioned by the United States for their alleged role in Iran’s shadow banking network.

The sanctions also name 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 follow separate sanctions issued by Britain in February targeting members of Iran’s security apparatus for violently suppressing pro-reform protests earlier this year.

Source: Al Jazeera