U.S. Sanctions 21 Individuals And One Vessel For Smuggling Oil & Weapons To Houthis

The United States has imposed new sanctions on 21 individuals and entities, and one vessel, targeting the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen.

The move aims to disrupt the group’s networks that transfer oil, dual-use equipment, weapons, and financial services, which the U.S. says fund attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The sanctions focus on front companies and facilitators in Yemen, Oman, and the UAE, which are said to form part of the Houthis’ revenue and smuggling networks.

U.S. officials reported that these networks help the Houthis sustain operations and carry out destabilising activities in the region.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Houthis threaten the United States through terrorism and attacks on international shipping. He added that the Treasury would continue to expose the individuals and networks supporting the group.

Following the Houthis’ designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) in March 2025, OFAC had issued a temporary humanitarian licence to allow ongoing deliveries of petroleum products to northern Yemen ports until 4 April 2025.

Officials said some vessels continued delivering oil to Houthi-controlled ports after this period, violating restrictions on business with the FTO.

One example is Albarraq Shipping Co and its director Ebrahim Ahmed Abdullah Al-Matari, who reportedly delivered oil to Ras Isa port after the licence expired using the vessel ALBARRAQ Z, captained by Ahmad Ismail in July 2025.

OFAC also sanctioned the captains of four previously designated vessels:

Ahmad Adriss, captain of SARAH, delivered liquefied petroleum gas in June 2025.

Ahmad Bseis, captain of ATLANTIS MZ, discharged gasoline in June 2025.

Ranveer Singh, captain of AKOYA GAS, discharged cargo in April 2025.

Alexander Yurovich Pshenichnyy, captain of VALENTE, discharged gasoline in May 2025.

All the individuals and companies were designated under Executive Order 13224 for supporting or providing services to the Houthis.

Al-Matari was sanctioned for owning or controlling Albarraq Shipping Co, and the ALBARRAQ Z was identified as property linked to the company.

Since 2023, the Houthis have carried out repeated attacks on Red Sea vessels, claiming they target ships linked to Israel in response to the Gaza conflict.

U.S. officials said the sanctions are part of efforts to reduce Iran’s influence, which has weakened due to Israeli strikes on Tehran’s allied groups, including the Houthis.

Reference: US Treasury

Source: Maritime Shipping News