US targets flow of Iranian funds to Yemen's Houthis over attacks
By Jonathan Landay
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -In its latest response to attacks on shipping by the Houthis, the U.S. on Thursday sanctioned an individual and three currency exchange houses it accused of facilitating the flow of Iranian financial assistance to the Yemeni movement.
Two of the exchange houses are based in Yemen and one is in Turkey, the U.S. Treasury Department said in a statement announcing the new measures.
«Today's action underscores our resolve to restrict the illicit flow of funds to the Houthis, who continue to conduct dangerous attacks on international shipping and risk further destabilizing the region,» Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in the statement.
The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets belonging to the targeted entities and generally prohibit Americans from doing business with them.
The Houthis have seized or attacked with drones and missiles a dozen ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since Nov. 19. They aim to raise the international costs of Israel's offensive in Gaza, which was triggered by the Oct. 7 onslaught into Israel by the enclave's ruling Hamas militants.
U.S., British and French warships have shot down drones and missiles launched by the Houthis, who control huge swaths of Yemen captured during years of civil war. The Iran-aligned movement says it will continue the attacks in response to the Israeli assault on Gaza.
The U.S. is leading a new naval task force to protect commercial shipping and has accused Iran of supplying weapons, financing, targeting and other assistance to the Houthis. Iran denies the allegation.
The sanctions announced by the Treasury on Thursday were the latest aimed at throttling the flow of alleged Iranian
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