US targets Iran's international weapons procurement network with new sanctions

• The US sanctioned two individuals and one company based in Belarus, Russia and Nigeria over alleged efforts to procure MANPADS for Iran.
• The targets include Mohammed Ali Tolibov, Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited and Alisher Domullodzhanov.
• Washington said Vanguard used false end-users to facilitate the procurement of Chinese-origin weapons.

The United States imposed sanctions Wednesday on two individuals and a company based in Belarus, Russia and Nigeria over their alleged involvement in Iran's efforts to acquire man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), as Washington steps up efforts to disrupt Tehran's international military procurement networks.

The US State Department announced the measures on Nov. 4, saying the targets had been involved in efforts to help the Iranian government obtain the shoulder-fired weapons, which are designed to bring down low-flying aircraft, including helicopters and planes.

State Department spokesman Thomas "Tommy" Pigott said the sanctions were part of Operation Economic Outcast, a US campaign targeting Iran's military procurement networks. He said the latest measures were intended to make it more difficult and costly for Tehran to acquire weapons.

The designations follow three previous rounds of US sanctions targeting Iran-linked MANPADS procurement networks on May 8, June 10 and July 15, 2026.

Washington said Iran's efforts to obtain the systems posed a threat to US national security and regional security, warning that individuals and entities assisting Tehran's military procurement activities would face accountability.

The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13949, which targets individuals and entities involved in certain conventional arms activities related to Iran. They block property and financial interests belonging to designated parties that fall under US jurisdiction and prohibit US persons from conducting transactions with them, subject to applicable exceptions and authorizations.

The latest action also comes amid the reimposition of UN restrictions on Iran in September 2025. The measures were restored through the so-called snapback mechanism after Britain, France and Germany triggered the process under the 2015 nuclear agreement, arguing that Tehran had failed to meet its commitments.

The restored restrictions include an arms embargo and other measures targeting Iran's military and proliferation-related activities. Their reimposition followed the failure of the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution extending sanctions relief.

The United States said it would continue working with international partners to enforce the restrictions and disrupt weapons supply networks that it says threaten American forces and regional security.

"Anyone who helps the regime build its arsenal should expect to be held accountable," Pigott said.

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