US Treasury sanctions a financier it says holds assets for Iran's leader

The US Treasury designated Ali Ansari, an Iranian national based in Dubai, on July 10, along with Smart Global Limited, a holding company registered in Saint Kitts and Nevis. The action was reported by Alex Raufoglu at RFE/RL. Treasury said Ansari oversees assets benefiting Mojtaba Khamenei and other officials, and that he previously owned and directed Ayandeh Bank, which the Iranian government dissolved in mid-October 2025. Treasury said the holding company has interests in Germany, Luxembourg, Spain, the United Kingdom, Cyprus and the United Arab Emirates. Several Iranian exchange houses were designated the same day. Treasury said they move money for banks already under sanctions. The action cites three executive orders. Secretary Scott Bessent said the department would keep working to cut regime figures off from the global financial system.