Washington imposes sanctions on those accused of facilitating the transfer of Iranian funds to the Houthis
The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on an individual and three exchange companies, accusing them of facilitating the transfer of Iranian financial support to the Yemeni Houthi group, in the latest American response to the Houthi attacks on ships, according to what Reuters reported.
The US Treasury Department said in a statement that the exchange companies are based in Turkey and Yemen.
Treasury Undersecretary Brian Nelson added in the statement, "Today's action underscores our resolve to restrict the illicit flow of funds to the Houthis, who continue to launch dangerous attacks on international shipping and risk further destabilizing the region."
The Iranian-backed Houthi group has been attacking commercial ships since October in a campaign it says is in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, against which Israel continues to launch attacks.
With the increase in Houthi threats in the Red Sea, American warships are moving to confront the successive attacks that have disrupted vital shipping lines.
The group said that it would target all ships heading to Israel, regardless of their nationality, and they warned all international shipping companies against dealing with Israeli ports.
The Houthi strikes prompted the US Department of Defense, the Pentagon, to announce the formation of a coalition that includes several countries to ensure security in the Red Sea.
With the presence of the coalition, several countries will place their ships near the Red Sea to respond to attacks and protect ships and commercial tankers, as a form of deterrence, but this has not stopped the Houthis from continuing to target ships operating near Yemen.
The attacks disrupted the flow of global trade, and shipping companies and oil companies said they would avoid the Suez Canal, which increases shipping costs and lengthens journey distances, because ships, in return, choose to circle the African continent.
The Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen launched at least 100 missile attacks and dozens of drones towards ships in the Red Sea, and repeated its threats to target any Israeli ship or one heading to Israel.
