The U.S. Department of State has imposed sanctions on two individuals and one entity based in Belarus, Russia and Nigeria for their involvement in the Iranian regime’s efforts to procure man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS), the department announced on 5 November 2026.
A Sustained Campaign
The action is part of Operation Economic Outcast and represents the latest in a series of U.S. measures against Iran’s military procurement networks involving MANPADS, following designations on 8 May, 10 June and 15 July 2026.
“Each round makes it harder and more costly for Tehran to arm itself and reinforces the UN restrictions restored in September 2025,” the State Department said. “Iran’s procurement efforts threaten U.S. national security, and the United States will take all necessary action to hold the Iranian regime accountable.”
The department noted that 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 Three Targets
All three targets were designated pursuant to Executive Order 13949, which targets certain persons with respect to the conventional arms activities of Iran.
Mohammed Ali Tolibov
Tolibov is the Chief Executive Officer of Armory Alliance, a Belarus-based entity that has acted as an intermediary between China-based companies and Iran. According to the State Department, Tolibov “has contributed to Armory Alliance’s efforts to procure weapons on behalf of Iran.”
Armory Alliance has been involved in efforts to facilitate the purchase of hundreds of MANPADS. The entity was previously designated pursuant to E.O. 13382 and E.O. 13949, and Tolibov was previously designated under E.O. 13382.
Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited
Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited is a Nigeria-based entity involved in efforts to facilitate the procurement of Chinese-origin MANPADS for Iran via false end-users. The company was previously designated under E.O. 13382.
Alisher Domullodzhanov
Domullodzhanov is a Russia-based individual who has been involved in efforts to facilitate the procurement of MANPADS for Iran.
Sanctions Implications
Under E.O. 13949, all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Entities owned 50 percent or more, directly or indirectly, by one or more blocked persons are also blocked.
All transactions by U.S. persons or within the United States involving any property or interests in property of designated persons are prohibited unless authorised by a general or specific license, or otherwise exempt. This includes the making of any contribution of funds, goods or services to or for the benefit of any blocked person.
UN Arms Embargo Enforcement
The State Department emphasized that the action supports enforcement of the UN arms embargo on Iran restored in September 2025, which bars UN Member States from supplying such weapons to Iran.
“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,” the department stated.
“The United States will continue to work with partners to implement the restored UN measures and to stop the flow of weapons that threaten U.S. forces and regional security. Anyone who helps the regime build its arsenal should expect to be held accountable.”
