US sanctions Tajikistan-born man over selling arms to Iran
The United States imposed sanctions on Alisher Domullodzhanov, a Tajikistan native, on 4 November, accusing him of helping Iran obtain portable air-defence missile systems.
The US Treasury’s sanctions database identifies Domullodzhanov as Tajik-Russian dual. He was born in Dushanbe on 29 November 1989 and is currently based in Russia’s Moscow region. The database also lists him under the name Alisher Hairulloevich Domullodzhanov.
The sanctions also target Mohammed Ali Tolibov, a Belarusian national who heads the arms trading company Armory Alliance, and Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited, a Nigerian company.
According to the US State Department, all three were involved in attempts to help Tehran purchase man-portable air-defence systems, commonly known as MANPADS. These shoulder-launched missiles can target low-flying aircraft, including helicopters and some military jets.
How the alleged weapons network operated
Washington provided limited details about Domullodzhanov’s specific activities, saying only that he helped facilitate the attempted purchase of the weapons for Iran.
The State Department gave a more detailed account of Armory Alliance’s involvement. The Belarus-based company allegedly connected Chinese suppliers with Iranian buyers and helped arrange the acquisition of hundreds of portable missile systems.
Tolibov, the company’s chief executive, had already faced US sanctions before the latest announcement. Treasury records identify him as a Belarusian national, although his name also appears in the database as Mukhamadali Khaydarkhudzhaevich Tolibov. The available records do not establish a Central Asian origin for him.
The Nigerian company Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited allegedly helped arrange purchases of Chinese-made missile systems by using false end-user information, which can conceal the intended recipient of military equipment.
What the US sanctions mean
The latest measures form part of Washington’s wider effort to stop Iran from rebuilding its military supplies. The US previously targeted related procurement networks in May, June and July 2026.
The State Department said the restrictions also support the UN arms embargo on Iran, which was restored in September 2025 and prohibits member states from supplying the country with certain weapons.
Under the new sanctions, any US-based assets belonging to Domullodzhanov, Tolibov and Vanguard must be frozen. American citizens and companies are generally prohibited from conducting business with them.
The restrictions also cover businesses in which sanctioned individuals or entities hold a combined ownership stake of 50% or more.
The State Department announced the measures under Executive Order 13949, which targets individuals and organisations involved in Iran’s conventional weapons procurement.
