In light of increasing Houthi attacks on ships crossing the Red Sea, the U.S. announced new sanctions targeting Iranian and Houthi commanders, as well as a shipping company, Reuters reported.
Mohammad Reza, deputy commander of Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force (IRGC-QF), and Ibrahim Al Nashiri, a member of Yemen’s Houthi militia, were among those targeted by the sanctions.
The U.S. Treasury Department claims that Iran is complicit in helping the Houthis disrupt international shipping in the Red Sea by providing them with both weapons and intelligence.
The sanctions also targeted Cap Tees Shipping Co., Ltd, the owner of a vessel that was used to transport Iranian cargo supporting Houthi and IRGC-QF activities. Despite the increasing presence of the U.S. and British navies, attacks persist.
Furthermore, two companies involved in shipping over $100 million in Iranian commodities to China on behalf of Iran’s defense ministry were subject to U.S. sanctions. The shipment, initiated by the Defense Ministry, used the Panamanian-flagged ship Kohana, owned by Hong Kong-registered Kohana Company Ltd and operated by Marshall Islands-registered Iridescent Company Ltd.
Britain levied sanctions of its own targeting Yemeni and Iranian parties. This highlights coordinated efforts by two world powers to curb support for Houthi Red Sea military operations while disrupting Iranian influence in the region.
