Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has reportedly been linked to two luxury residential properties in London that directly overlook the Israeli Embassy, a location that security experts have described as potentially enabling “continuous surveillance” of one of Israel’s most sensitive diplomatic facilities, Fox News reports.
According to British media reports, the multimillion-dollar apartments are situated in the Kensington district, immediately adjacent to the embassy compound on Palace Green. The Times of London reported on March 5 that one of the buildings stands next to the Israeli Embassy, placing these properties in striking proximity to Israel’s principal diplomatic mission in the United Kingdom.
The apartments were reportedly purchased in 2014 and 2016 through intermediaries to obscure actual ownership. Both occupy upper floors and are said to afford a clear line of sight into the rear of the embassy grounds, according to multiple outlets.
A counterterrorism specialist cited in these reports remarked that the arrangement effectively allows “the view into the back of the Israeli Embassy from less than 50 meters away,” calling it a potential “serious security breach.” Roger Macmillan, former Director of Security at the Iranian opposition network Iran International, similarly observed that the properties function less as personal assets and more as a “permanent surveillance” platform held through Mojtaba Khamenei.
The revelations form part of a broader inquiry conducted by Bloomberg, which traced an extensive network of high-value real estate acquisitions allegedly controlled by Khamenei and his associates. The investigation estimated the total value of his overseas holdings at approximately $138 million, encompassing properties in London, continental Europe, and the Gulf region.
Bloomberg’s findings further indicated that a businessman acted as a financial intermediary, acquiring upscale real estate on Khamenei’s behalf through a complex web of corporate structures and offshore investments. These transactions reportedly included the purchase of 11 mansions along London’s “Billionaire’s Row” via an Isle of Man shell company.
Additional reporting by the Financial Times has similarly highlighted connections between Khamenei’s network and luxury assets across Europe, reinforcing concerns about the scope of his international financial operations.
Aged 56, Mojtaba Khamenei has long been regarded as a powerful and influential figure within Iran’s ruling establishment. Following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a Tehran compound strike on February 28, Iran’s Assembly of Experts swiftly confirmed Mojtaba as his successor. Since his official appointment, however, he has yet to appear publicly.