The United Kingdom imposed sanctions on one individual and four entities on Thursday under its Iran sanctions regime, stating that they are part of a network supporting Tehran’s foreign activities, including “destabilization” in Ukraine.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said the sanctions include asset freezes targeting Iranian oil tycoon Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani and four companies operating in the shipping, petrochemical, and financial sectors.

Britain added that Tehran relies on revenues from these commercial networks to fund its “destabilizing activities,” including supporting affiliated groups and launching threats on British soil.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Hamish Falconer said, “Today, the United Kingdom announces sanctions against those acting on behalf of Iran, fueling its attempts to undermine stability in the Middle East and global security.”

The United States, which sanctioned Shamkhani last month, stated that he controls a vast network of container ships and oil tankers through a complex web of intermediaries who sell Iranian and Russian oil and other goods worldwide.

It explained that some companies were sanctioned for acting on Shamkhani’s behalf or under his direction, accusing him of aiding Iran’s foreign operations. The European Union also imposed sanctions on Shamkhani in July.

British lawmakers warned last month that Iran poses “an increasing and multifaceted threat to the UK.” While it does not yet match the scale of challenges posed by Russia or China, they said the government is unprepared to confront it.

They added that the Iranian threat includes physical attacks, potential assassinations, espionage, cyberattacks, and efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

Iran has rejected these allegations, describing them as “baseless claims driven by political and hostile motives.”