U.S. Tightens Sanctions on Houthi and Hezbollah Trade Networks

The U.S. Treasury announced new sanctions on Houthi and Hezbollah trade networks, targeting individuals, companies, and vessels involved in shipping Iranian commodities to Yemen and the UAE. Revenue from these operations funds Houthi attacks on the Red Sea and Hezbollah's LPG shipments to China. The action aims to disrupt Iran's regional funding sources.

WASHINGTON, Aug 15 (Reuters) - The United States issued new sanctions on Thursday targeting Houthi and Hezbollah trade networks, according to a statement from the U.S. Treasury Department. This move is part of Washington's broader strategy to increase pressure on Tehran and its affiliates.

The sanctions focus on individuals, companies, and vessels involved in the shipment of Iranian oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. Treasury highlighted that these shipments, managed by a network associated with Houthi financial official Sa’id al-Jamal, help fund the militant group’s destructive activities in the Red Sea.

Additionally, Hezbollah's LPG shipments from Iran to China were also targeted. Treasury's Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley Smith, emphasized that these measures demonstrate the continued U.S. commitment to disrupting Iran’s funding channels for its regional proxies. The sanctions freeze U.S. assets of the targets and restrict financial dealings with them.