Wealthy buyers from the Middle East are increasingly snapping up luxury properties in London as they seek safe havens for their money and additional overseas bases amid instability caused by the ongoing Iran war. Estate agents report a marked rise in interest from Gulf billionaires looking to shield their wealth from regional turmoil, reinforcing London's long-standing appeal as a haven for international capital during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.

The trend forms part of a broader pattern of foreign investment reshaping the capital's property market, coinciding with news of a Dubai-based developer's plans for a separate £2.5 billion new town in east London, comprising roughly 5,000 homes and a public park near the O2 Arena. Together, these developments underline the scale of Gulf money flowing into London real estate, even as the wider UK housing market struggles amid weaker demand and difficult selling conditions.