Washington D.C., March 6, 2024 – The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions today against companies and vessels facilitating shipments of Iranian commodities for the Houthi militia, backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF).
The action targets two companies and four vessels:
Reneez Shipping Limited (Marshall Islands) and its ship RENEEZ (Palau flag), accused of transporting Iranian goods for Houthi financier Sa’id al-Jamal.
Hongkong Unitop Group Ltd (Hong Kong) and its ship ETERNAL FORTUNE (Panama flag), sanctioned for receiving Iranian commodities from another vessel via a ship-to-ship transfer while using a falsified signal.
These actions follow similar sanctions imposed on February 27th, 2024, against another vessel involved in al-Jamal’s network.
The Treasury Department alleges that revenue generated through al-Jamal’s network funds Houthi attacks on international maritime commerce in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
“The IRGC-QF and the Houthis rely on illicit commodity sales to finance attacks on commercial shipping,” stated Under Secretary Brian E. Nelson. “The US remains committed to holding accountable those enabling these activities.”
The sanctions freeze any US-based assets of the designated entities and prohibit US persons from engaging in transactions with them.
This action highlights the US’s ongoing efforts to counter Iranian support for the Houthis and disrupt their funding sources.
Source » irannewsupdate