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US imposes new sanctions targeting Houthi oil, weapons and smuggling networks UAE-based front companies and shipping firms among entities targeted for facilitating oil transfers and financial support to the Houthis
The Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Friday targeting Iran-backed Houthi networks involved in oil transfers, weapons procurement and smuggling operations that Washington says help finance the group's attacks and destabilizing activities. The US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control said the measures target 21 individuals and entities, as well as one vessel, including front companies and facilitators based in Yemen, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. "The Houthis threaten the United States by committing acts of terror and attacking commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement. He said the Treasury would use all available tools to disrupt the networks enabling Houthi operations. The Treasury said the action builds on earlier sanctions aimed at constricting the Houthis' revenue generation and smuggling networks, which it said allow the group to sustain attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. Since 2023, the Houthis have carried out repeated assaults on vessels they claim are linked to Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians over the war in Gaza. According to the Treasury, the Houthis generate more than $2 billion annually through illicit oil sales, including shipments facilitated by Iran-affiliated companies operating through the UAE. The sanctions also target logistics firms, exchange houses and procurement operatives accused of financing weapons purchases and smuggling military equipment into Yemen. The measures were issued under Executive Order 13224, as amended. The US State Department designated the Houthis as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist group in February 2024 and as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in March 2025. The sanctions block all property and interests of the designated individuals and entities within US jurisdiction and prohibit transactions with them by US persons. The Treasury warned that violations could result in civil or criminal penalties and that foreign financial institutions could face secondary sanctions for facilitating prohibited transactions. — Agencies
