The United States of America announced the imposition of new sanctions against two shipowners and two oil tankers who contributed to shipping goods for the Houthi financial network in Iran, enabling the group to continue attacks on international maritime trade in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

The US Treasury Department said, in a press statement, that its Office of Foreign Assets Control had taken sanctions against two shipowners in Hong Kong and the Marshall Islands and two ships, for their role in shipping goods for a Houthi financial network based in Iran, and managed by Saeed Al-Jamal.< /p>

The statement added that the financial revenues generated through the Al-Jamal network contribute to enabling the Houthis’ armed efforts, including the ongoing and unprecedented attacks on international maritime trade in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson, said, "The Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force and the Houthis continue to rely on the illicit sale of goods to fund their attacks on commercial shipping lanes."

Nelson stressed that the United States of America will continue to target the funding sources that enable such destabilizing activities, and hold accountable all those who carry them out or help in committing them.

The statement explained that the list of sanctions was added to: the Hong Kong Unitop Group Limited, based in Hong Kong, and the Rennies Shipping Company Limited, based in the Marshall Islands, in addition to the two crude oil tankers “Eternal Fortune” and “Rennies”, all of which are linked to the shipment of goods. For the benefit of the Houthi financier network; Saeed Al-Jamal, supported by the Revolutionary Guard and based in Iran.

Al-Jamal is a Houthi leader who was previously blacklisted on June 10, 2021, “for providing significant material assistance, sponsorship, or providing financial, material, or technical support, goods, or services to or in support of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.”

Under the sanctions, all property and interests of the entities listed above that are located in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons will be blocked, as will any entities owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, by 50% or more. By one or more prohibited persons, unless authorized by a general or special license issued by OFAC, or exempt, all transactions conducted by U.S. persons or within (or through) the United States are generally prohibited. Involving any property or interests in property of specified or prohibited persons.

The prohibition also includes all institutions and other persons who engage in certain transactions or activities with entities and individuals subject to sanctions, which exposes them to sanctions, and also, the provision of any contribution or provision of funds, goods or services by, to or for the benefit of any specified person, or Receive any contribution or provide money, goods or services from any such person.