Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited
Nigerian company the US alleges helped procure MANPADs for Iran.
The US State Department designated Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited on 4 November 2026, saying the Nigerian company took part in an Iranian attempt to obtain Chinese-origin MANPADs via false end-users. Treasury had already designated it in July.
Last refreshed: 8 November 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Why did a Nigerian firm founded in May 2026 land on two US sanctions lists?
Timeline for Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited
State Department hits Iran MANPADS bid
Iran Conflict 2026Background
Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited is registered in Abuja, Nigeria, and OFAC gives 20 May 2026 as its date of establishment. Less than two months later, on 15 July 2026, Treasury blocked it under Executive Order 13382, the non-proliferation authority. Treasury describes Vanguard as a front for Behrouz Namazi, who runs Nika Jet Company in Tehran and, Treasury alleges, has hunted for weapons on behalf of the IRGC.
A second listing followed on 4 November 2026, when the State Department used Executive Order 13949 against Vanguard over an Iranian attempt to obtain Chinese-origin MANPADS through false end-users.
State presents the case as part of a run of actions against Iran's hunt for shoulder-fired missiles, with earlier rounds on 8 May, 10 June and 15 July 2026. It ties that work to the UN arms embargo on Iran, which returned in September 2025.
Vanguard draws a second US designation
On 4 November 2026 State added Vanguard to its list under Executive Order 13949, the order aimed at Iran's conventional weapons trade; the announcement followed a day later. State accuses the company of helping Iran seek Chinese-origin shoulder-fired air defence missiles, with false end-users covering the destination. OFAC then tagged Vanguard's existing entry with the Iran conventional arms programme.
It was not Vanguard's first listing. Treasury designated it on 15 July 2026 under Executive Order 13382, calling it an intermediary for Behrouz Namazi of Tehran's Nika Jet Company. Its property under US jurisdiction has been blocked since then. The November action stacks a second programme on the same company. State named no Chinese supplier in it.
What is Vanguard Tactical Supply Limited?
Why did the US sanction a Nigerian company over Iran?
When was Vanguard Tactical Supply first sanctioned?
Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 8 November 2026. Editorial standards.