US Sanctions Network Facilitating Iranian Air Defense Procurement

The United States Department of State sanctioned two individuals and one entity on Wednesday for allegedly facilitating the procurement of man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) for Iran. The targeted parties include Mohammed Ali Tolibov, CEO of the Belarus-based Armory Alliance, Russia-based Alisher Domullodzhanov, and Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited, a company based in Nigeria.

U.S. officials allege the network utilized false end-users to acquire Chinese-origin air defense systems for Tehran. The State Department stated these designations aim to close procurement channels used by Iran to rebuild its arsenal and increase the risk for third-country brokers and suppliers supporting the Iranian military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.