Reform Donor Hossein Ghandehari's Iran Business Links Revealed 2026

Hossein Ghandehari, a billionaire donor to Reform UK, was in business with a powerful Iranian religious foundation under the authority of the country's supreme leader, according to a French arbitration decision unearthed by the Guardian.

The revelation raises questions about the past dealings of Nigel Farage's newest major backer with the hardline Iranian regime. Ghandehari, also known as Sasan, was little known in the UK until he pledged millions to Reform UK this summer.

Who is Hossein Ghandehari?

Ghandehari is a 61-year-old Iranian-born British businessman who says he runs a $10bn (£7bn) fund called HP Trust. He has declined to give details about how his family made its money, beyond saying the fund owns assets in Europe and North America.

This summer, he donated £50,000 to Farage to cover the cost of two passes for the Davos World Economic Forum. He has also said he is moving his tax residency from Switzerland to the UK to make "regular payments" of more than "one or two million" to Reform UK.

The Iranian foundation connection

The French arbitration decision sheds light on Ghandehari's dealings with Iranian state-linked entities between 2013 and 2016. It reveals that he was in business with a religious foundation under the authority of Iran's supreme leader.

The foundation is described as powerful and hardline, and its link to Ghandehari raises concerns about the source of his wealth and his connections to the Iranian regime. Farage has been highly critical of Iran over the past year, making the revelation particularly awkward for Reform UK.

Links to another Reform donor

The arbitration decision also reveals Ghandehari's further Iranian business links to another Reform UK donor, John Richard Simpson. Simpson is an administration professional and church warden from Potters Bar, north of London.

Simpson's design firm, Interior Architecture Landscape, counts the Ghandehari family as a client and gave £200,000 to Reform UK last year. The connection between the two donors adds another layer to the story.

Why it matters

The revelations come at a sensitive time for Reform UK, which has been riding high in the polls and attracting major donors. Questions about the source of Ghandehari's wealth and his past dealings with Iran could damage the party's credibility.

Farage has positioned himself as a critic of the Iranian regime, so the news that his donor was in business with a foundation linked to the supreme leader may undermine his stance. It also raises questions about the vetting process for major donors.

• Hossein Ghandehari is a billionaire donor to Reform UK who says he runs a $10bn fund.
• A French arbitration decision reveals he was in business with an Iranian religious foundation under the supreme leader's authority.
• He donated £50,000 to Farage for Davos passes and plans regular payments of over £1m to Reform UK.
• Another Reform donor, John Richard Simpson, has business links to Ghandehari and gave £200,000 to the party.
• The revelations may raise questions about donor vetting and Farage's criticism of Iran.

Comparison of Reform UK donors

What to watch next

Reform UK has not commented on the revelations, but the party may face pressure to explain its vetting process for donors. The story is likely to fuel debate about political funding and foreign influence.

As the party continues to attract wealthy backers, scrutiny of their backgrounds will intensify. The connection to Iran is particularly sensitive given Farage's public criticism of the regime.

This is not the first time Reform UK's finances have come under the spotlight. Questions have been raised about the party's funding sources, including the role of crypto donors. For a closer look at the controversy surrounding Farage's financial backers, see our report on Nigel Farage questions finances: crypto donor sparks row.

The Gambling Commission has also been urged to investigate firms linked to Reform UK donors. That case highlights the broader issue of donor transparency. Details can be found in our article on Gambling Commission urged to probe Reform UK donor firms.

Meanwhile, the debate over political donations is heating up across parties. A recent Labour donor party at No 10 has fuelled calls for a donations cap. Read more about Labour donor party at No 10 fuels donations cap debate.

Foreign funding of political parties is a growing concern. The Trump ballroom donor who leads a $200m Armenia fund shows how international money can intersect with politics. See our coverage: Trump ballroom donor leads State Dept's $200m Armenia fund.

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