US sanctions individuals, entities over alleged efforts to supply Iran with air defense systems

The US on Wednesday sanctioned two individuals and one entity accused of helping Iran obtain man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS). The State Department said the designations “close off more of the channels Tehran uses to try to rebuild its arsenal and raise the risk for third-country brokers and suppliers.” The department identified the targets as Mohammed Ali Tolibov, the CEO of Belarus-based Armory Alliance; Nigeria-based Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited; and Russia-based Alisher Domullodzhanov.

The department alleged that the network sought to facilitate the procurement of Chinese-origin MANPADS for Iran, including through the use of false end-users. “The United States will keep exposing the networks that arm Iran’s military and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and will keep denying the regime the resources that sustain its destabilizing activities,” it said.