UK imposes sanctions on suspected Iranian attack planning network

British Government Imposes Sanctions on Iranian-Linked Network

The British government has imposed sanctions on nine individuals and three entities linked to “Iranian-backed hostile activity”. The Foreign Office has issued travel bans, asset freezes, and director disqualification orders to those affected.

According to the authorities, the sanctioned individuals are accused of plotting attacks and financing efforts to destabilize Britain and its allies on behalf of Iran. This includes alleged members and associates of the Zindashti criminal network, which is also linked to an international drug and trafficking cartel directed by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

The European Union had previously designated several individuals and entities associated with the network, including Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti, who was sanctioned by both Britain and the United States in 2024. The US had also imposed sanctions on five members of the Zarringhalam family, who are accused of helping finance destabilization efforts.

Other individuals named in the sanctions include Ekrem Oztunc, Namiq Salifov from Azerbaijan, and Nihat Abdul Kadir Asan from Iran. Two exchange houses linked to the network, Berelian Exchange and GCM Exchange, were also designated by the US.

The designations are part of a series of measures taken by Britain against Iran in recent months. In February, separate sanctions were issued targeting members of Iran’s security apparatus for violently suppressing widespread pro-reform protests earlier this year.

Source: Al Jazeera