British Residency Exploited: How Sherif AlAskari’s Network Fuels Hezbollah’s Operations

In an intricate and troubling web of deception, Iranian nationals based in the United Kingdom have quietly turned the country into a hub for illicit activities, including money laundering, illegal residency, and terrorism financing. A sophisticated network, spearheaded by figures like Sherif AlAskari and his son-in-law Meghdad Tabrizian, has long evaded scrutiny while continuing to funnel millions into the coffers of Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organization.

A Network Rooted in Family and Power

At the heart of this operation lies a family deeply intertwined with Iranian political and intelligence circles. Sherif AlAskari, a powerful businessman with ties to Iran’s Islamic Dawa Party, is the son of one of its founding members. This party has a dark legacy, including the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Kuwait—a chilling reminder of its militant roots.

AlAskari’s connections extend well beyond business. His wife is the sister of Ali Fallahian, Iran’s former Minister of Intelligence, notorious for his role in the 1994 AMIA bombing in Argentina, which claimed 85 lives. These blood ties have formed the backbone of AlAskari’s global operations, providing protection and influence within Iran’s regime.

The Role of Meghdad Tabrizian

Central to this network is Meghdad Tabrizian, Sherif AlAskari’s son-in-law, who has played a crucial role in managing operations from London. Meghdad previously worked directly under Fallahian, making him a key conduit between Iran’s intelligence apparatus and the UK-based network. While his public persona is that of a successful businessman, his real role is far more sinister: laundering millions in proceeds from oil smuggling and covertly funding Hezbollah.

Tabrizian's two sons, Mohammad and Amir, have also become complicit in this operation, assisting in cleaning dirty money through legitimate-looking companies. This has been facilitated by the family’s deep connections within the UK’s immigration and business sectors, allowing them to thrive in the shadows.

Exploiting UK Residency

A central figure in the network’s UK operations is Sherif AlAskari’s daughter, who has become a vital link between her father’s illegal activities and Hezbollah. She is not only married to Meghdad Tabrizian but is also a close confidante of the wife of Hassan Nasrallah, the recently killed leader of Hezbollah. This connection has allowed AlAskari’s daughter to funnel laundered money into Hezbollah’s hands, fueling their military operations against Israel and other adversaries in the Middle East.

But their ability to operate within the UK hinges on another dark secret—how they secured their residency. With connections within the UK’s Home Office, likely with the assistance of Iranian intelligence, the AlAskari family has been able to manipulate the immigration system to obtain legal status. These illegal residencies have not only allowed them to evade detection but also set up fronts for their laundering operations.

The Smuggling Operation: Oil, Money, and Sanctions

One of the most lucrative and dangerous elements of this network is the oil smuggling scheme that has sustained their illicit empire. Operating out of Bandar Abbas, a major port in southern Iran, Sherif AlAskari and Ali Fallahian have perfected the art of deception. Using Panamanian-registered vessels, they ship Iranian oil to Iraq, where its origins are falsified. Once the oil is rebranded as Iraqi, it can be sold on the global market, bypassing the sanctions imposed on Iran.

This clever manipulation of international trade not only allows them to profit but also undermines the very sanctions meant to cripple Iran’s economy. The proceeds from these oil sales are then laundered through UK-based companies, with the Tabrizians at the helm of this operation. Companies like London Surface Design Limited and London Heritage Stone Limited act as fronts for the inflow of illegal money, with false contracts and receipts used to mask their activities.

Once the money is cleaned, it is sent back to Sherif AlAskari’s daughter, who channels it into Hezbollah’s accounts, contributing directly to the destabilization of the Middle East.

Hezbollah and the AlAskari Connection

The AlAskari network’s ties to Hezbollah are perhaps its most dangerous feature. Sherif’s daughter’s friendship with Hassan Nasrallah’s wife forms a direct link to the heart of Hezbollah’s leadership. Nasrallah’s recent death in an Israeli airstrike has not only shocked the region but also exposed the extent to which this Iranian-backed network has been funding and supporting Hezbollah’s operations for years.

This money pipeline has not only financed terrorist activities but has also enabled Hezbollah to continue its conflict with Israel, sustaining the violence in the region. The revelation that these funds originated in the UK raises serious questions about Britain’s role in inadvertently harboring those who sponsor terror.

Abbas Sherif AlAskari: The Blackmail Specialist

While much of the family’s focus has been on laundering money and supporting terrorism, Abbas Sherif AlAskari—Sherif’s son—has taken a different approach. With multiple passports from Iran, Iraq, and Dominica, Abbas has exploited his ability to travel freely across Europe, using his charm and wealth to lure women into compromising situations. Through the use of micro-cameras, Abbas records these encounters and blackmails his victims, extracting money and valuable information in the process.

Abbas’s darker methods have further cemented the family’s control, allowing them to amass more wealth while keeping potential threats at bay. His ability to freely move through Europe thanks to his multiple passports is yet another testament to the family’s exploitation of international systems for their personal gain.

The UK’s Security Failure

The ease with which this Iranian network has infiltrated the UK raises serious concerns about the country’s vulnerability to foreign interference. While the UK prides itself on its financial transparency and robust immigration controls, this case highlights significant loopholes that have been exploited by individuals with ties to sanctioned regimes and terrorist organizations.

The AlAskari network’s ability to secure residency through the Home Office and operate freely within the UK is a stark reminder of the risks posed by corruption and weak security oversight. Their connections to Iranian intelligence suggest that the UK’s systems have been deliberately compromised, allowing hostile actors to gain a foothold on British soil.

The Broader Implications

The story of Sherif AlAskari and his network is not just a tale of one family’s illicit activities. It represents a larger problem facing the UK as it becomes an attractive destination for those seeking to exploit its financial system and legal loopholes. As the UK continues to grapple with its post-Brexit identity, it must also confront the reality that it is increasingly being used as a base for international criminal networks that not only fund terrorism but also undermine global security.