Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who was traded for Brittney Griner, to sell weapons to Iran-backed Houthis

Viktor Bout, the notorious Russian arms dealer released in a prisoner exchange for WNBA star Brittney Griner, is now attempting to broker arms deals with Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Bout, 57, is known as the "Merchant of Death" and now serves as a local politician in Russian President Vladimir Putin's party. He has reportedly returned to the arms trade as well, negotiating with Houthi representatives who visited Moscow in August to purchase some $10 million worth of small arms.

While the shipment has not been delivered, an arms deal between Moscow and the Houthis – a U.S.-designated terrorist group – represents an escalation of tensions by Putin.