The United States imposes sanctions following ship attacks in the Red Sea

The United States has imposed sanctions on 13 individuals and entities accused of funneling tens of millions of dollars to Yemen’s Houthi group through the sale and shipment of Iranian goods. The plan was allegedly supported by Iran’s paramilitary spy force and involved a complex network of stock exchanges and companies in several countries. The funds provided by Iran were said to have enabled recent Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, leading to concerns about maritime security and international commercial trade.

The sanctions freeze all assets and interests of the targets in the United States and generally prohibit Americans from doing business with them. The individuals and entities affected by the sanctions include a jewelry store and an exchange office in Turkey, as well as exchange offices, freight forwarders, and individuals in St. Kitts and Nevis, the United Kingdom, and Russia. The Treasury Department cited key “Iran-based Houthi financial intermediary” Said al-Jamal and Bilal Hudroj, who runs a Lebanon-based currency exchange, as being involved in the network. The sanctions are aimed at disrupting the network and preventing further support for the Houthi group.

The Houthis have claimed responsibility for drone and rocket attacks against Israel and Israeli ships in the Red Sea, allegedly in response to Israeli military action in Gaza. The U.S. government has indicated that American warships have intercepted attacks believed to be linked to the Houthi group, and the sanctions are part of efforts to counter the group’s activities and funding sources.

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