US Imposes Sanctions on Individuals and Company Aiding Iran's Acquisition of Air-Defence Weapons

The United States has announced new sanctions targeting two individuals and a company accused of facilitating Iran's procurement of man-portable air-defence systems (Manpads). According to a statement from the State Department on Thursday, the sanctioned entities were involved in attempts to aid Iran in acquiring these shoulder-fired weapons, which are capable of engaging helicopters and certain fighter jets.

The individuals identified are Mohammed Ali Tolibov, the chief executive of the Belarus-based arms intermediary Armoury Alliance, and Alisher Domullodzhanov, who operates from Russia. The third entity subject to sanctions is Nigeria's Vanguard Tactical Supply.

The State Department detailed that Armoury Alliance acted as an intermediary between Chinese companies and Iran, attempting to facilitate the purchase of hundreds of Manpads. Vanguard Tactical Supply is accused of assisting Iran in procuring Chinese-origin systems by using false end-user declarations. Mr. Domullodzhanov was allegedly involved in efforts to support weapons procurement.

Washington stated that these latest measures are part of an ongoing campaign to disrupt Iranian military procurement networks, following similar actions taken in May, June, and July.