Iranian leader purchased luxury London homes with Israeli financing: report

Mojtaba Khamenei's reported $3 billion financial empire includes $48 million London homes financed by Israeli brothers despite decades of conflict between the countries.

By Eric J. Lyman

Published: March 13, 2026 3:27am

Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, purchased luxury homes in London financed by around $48 million in loans financed by an investment group owned by two Israeli brothers, according to a report in the Jerusalem Post.

The purchases took place in 2013, when Khamenei was still a behind-the-scenes figure supporting the leadership of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed Feb. 28 by Israeli and U.S. bombing raids on Tehran.

The Post’s report is based on an investigation by the Shomrim Center for Media and Democracy in Israel and the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

The research revealed that the loans worth 36 million U.K. pounds (around $48 million) were made by Topland, an investment group owned by Israeli brothers Sol and Eddie Zakai.

The Post reported that the homes are part of a $3 billion financial empire held by the younger Khamenei in the U.K., the United Arab Emirates, within the European Union, and in Iran.

The transaction took place while Israel prohibited direct financial ties with Iran. The countries have had tense relations dating to Israel’s founding.