WASHINGTON, July 10. /TASS/. The United States has imposed sanctions on Dubai-based financier Ali Ansari, who, according to the US government, is a financier of "Iranian elites."

According to the US Treasury, Washington's current restrictions also apply to three Iranian "shadow exchange houses," one Hong Kong-based firm, and one UAE-based company. It said that all blacklisted firms and people are involved in the illegal financial activities of the Iranian government and circumvention of US sanctions. Ansari allegedly acted in the interests of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. The shadow exchange houses move "billions of dollars annually" through shell companies in the interests of Iranian banks under sanctions.

The steps mean that the assets of these individuals and companies will be frozen if they are found in the US jurisdiction. In addition, US citizens are prohibited from conducting any business with them, entry to the United States for the blacklisted individuals will be closed.