US Imposes Sanctions on Head of Belarus-Based Armory Alliance Over Alleged Assistance in Weapons Procurement for Iran

Reform.news Editorial Team · 5 November 2026, 10:13

https://reform.news/en/us-imposes-sanctions-on-head-of-belarus-based-armory-alliance-over-alleged-assistance-in-weapons-procurement-for-iran/

The US Department of State announced sanctions on November 4 against Mohammed Ali Tolibov, head of Belarus-based company Armory Alliance. US authorities accuse him of assisting Iran in procuring man-portable air defence systems (MANPADS).

According to the US Department of State, Armory Alliance acted as an intermediary between Chinese companies and Iran and was involved in attempts to arrange the acquisition of hundreds of MANPADS. The department alleges that Tolibov, as the company’s head, facilitated weapons procurement on behalf of Tehran.

Armory Alliance and Tolibov were already subject to US sanctions. The latest decision imposes additional restrictions on the company’s head under Executive Order 13949, which concerns activities related to Iran’s conventional arms.

In addition to Tolibov, Alisher Domullodzhanov, who is based in Russia, was also sanctioned. According to the US Department of State, he was involved in attempts to arrange MANPADS procurement for Iran.

The third entity targeted is Nigerian company Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited. US authorities allege that it facilitated the acquisition of Chinese-made MANPADS for Iran using fictitious end users. The company had also previously been subject to US sanctions.

The restrictions provide for the blocking of the targets’ assets located in the United States or under the control of US persons. US citizens and companies are prohibited from conducting transactions involving them, subject to certain exceptions. The blocking measures also apply to entities directly or indirectly owned 50% or more by individuals included on the sanctions list.

The US Department of State described the decision as a continuation of its campaign against Iranian weapons procurement networks. Previous sanctions related to MANPADS procurement were imposed on May 8, June 10 and July 15, 2026. The department linked the new measures to Operation Economic Outcast and efforts to enforce UN restrictions on Iran, which were reinstated in September 2025.