UK sanctions two over alleged Iranian espionage and attack support
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office added two Iranian men to its Iran sanctions list, imposing asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualifications over alleged espionage and support for attacks abroad.
LONDON, October 12, 2026 — The United Kingdom has sanctioned two Iranian nationals over alleged involvement in espionage and hostile activities linked to the Iranian government, including threats and planned attacks against individuals overseas.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) announced the designations of Ruhollah Bazghandi and Shahram Ali Reza Tamarzadeh Jakki under the Iran (Sanctions) Regulations 2023. Both individuals are subject to asset freezes, travel bans and director disqualification sanctions.
Bazghandi (UK Sanctions ID: IRN0282) was designated over suspected involvement in planning or conducting espionage for the Iranian government. British authorities also cited his alleged involvement in threatening, planning or conducting attacks against individuals and assets in the United Kingdom or other countries outside Iran. Born Sept. 20, 1981, Bazghandi is an Iranian national also identified as Rouhollah Azimi.
Jakki (UK Sanctions ID: IRN0283) was sanctioned for allegedly supporting or assisting Iranian government-linked activities involving threats, planned attacks or attacks against individuals outside Iran. Born May 31, 1972, he is an Iranian national also identified as Farhad Ali Tamarzadeh.
The designations require individuals and businesses subject to UK jurisdiction to freeze funds or economic resources belonging to the sanctioned individuals and prohibit making funds or economic resources available to them unless an applicable exception or authorization permits it. Relevant firms must also report applicable findings to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.
The measures form part of the United Kingdom's broader sanctions framework targeting serious human rights abuses in Iran and hostile activities attributed to the Iranian government or Iranian-backed armed groups. They follow an earlier addition to the Iran sanctions list on July 13, 2026, and 12 new designations announced on May 11.
Both additions took effect through updates to the UK Sanctions List dated Oct. 12, 2026.
Regulatory Actions
Structured data extracted from official sources and validated by sanctions experts