The United States announced additional sanctions against an international network that assisted Iran in attempts to purchase hundreds of Chinese-made shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, the network operated through a Belarusian company that served as an intermediary between Chinese companies and the Tehran regime, a Nigerian company that attempted to disguise the weapons' destination by presenting fictitious end users and a citizen operating from Russia. Washington clarified that this is part of an ongoing effort to prevent Iran from replenishing its weapons stockpiles and acquiring portable air defense systems, which could endanger aircraft and helicopters of the United States and its allies.