UK Sanctions Two Iranians for Regime's Hostile Activities Abroad
Translated & summarized from Channel 9 by baba
The UK has imposed sanctions on two Iranian nationals, Ruhollah Bazghandi and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzade Jaki, for their roles in hostile activities on behalf of the Iranian regime. Bazghandi is accused of leading IRGC counterintelligence operations and involvement in plots against Israelis and dissidents, while Jaki is linked to a criminal network involved in assassinations. The sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans. UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated the measures are a response to Iran's unacceptable attempts to undermine security. Separately, the UK Prime Minister indicated an attack on RAF Fairford was likely Iran-directed.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- UK sanctions two Iranians, Ruhollah Bazghandi and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzade Jaki, for hostile activities on behalf of Iran.
- Bazghandi is accused of leading IRGC counterintelligence and plotting assassinations, including targeting Israelis and journalist Masih Alinejad.
- Jaki is linked to the Zindashti network, involved in abductions and murders of Iranian regime opponents abroad.
- Sanctions include asset freezes and travel bans, with the UK summoning Iran's ambassador.
- UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated an attack on RAF Fairford was likely coordinated by Iran and directed by the IRGC.
On October 12, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on two Iranian nationals for their alleged involvement in hostile activities orchestrated by the Iranian regime overseas. The sanctions, announced by the UK Foreign Ministry, include asset freezes, travel bans to the UK, and restrictions on managing companies subject to British sanctions.
The sanctioned individuals are Ruhollah Bazghandi, identified by the UK Foreign Ministry as the head of counterintelligence operations for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzade Jaki, an intermediary for the Zindashti criminal network implicated in plots against Iranian dissidents.
Bazghandi is already under U.S. sanctions, with the U.S. Treasury Department stating in June 2023 that he was involved in planning and directing IRGC intelligence operations in Iraq and Syria, as well as assassination operations targeting Israelis. The U.S. Justice Department also charged Bazghandi in October 2024 in connection with a plot to assassinate journalist and activist Masih Alinejad in New York. The U.S. believes the IRGC offered $500,000 to conspirators for the assassination attempt, which was thwarted when the intended assassin was apprehended near Alinejad's home. Bazghandi remains wanted by the FBI.
Tamarzade Jaki was sanctioned by the U.S. in January 2024. The U.S. Treasury Department alleges he is related to Iranian drug trafficker Naji Ibrahim Sharifi-Zindashti and assists his network in coordinating logistics and financing operations with an Iranian intelligence operative. This network has been linked to the abduction and murder of regime opponents abroad. In 2021, the Zindashti network allegedly hired Damion Ryan, a member of the Hells Angels biker group, to plan assassinations of individuals who had fled Iran to the U.S., providing him with target information and payment arrangements.
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband stated that Iran's persistent attempts to undermine the security of the UK and its partners through criminal networks and state-sponsored hostile activities are unacceptable. He emphasized that the UK will not tolerate threats on its territory and has summoned the Iranian ambassador to convey this message. Miliband also noted that the UK has already sanctioned the IRGC under new powers to counter state threats.
Additionally, on October 12, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham informed Parliament that an attempted attack on RAF Fairford, used by U.S. bombers, was likely coordinated by Iran and "almost certainly" directed by the IRGC.