From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
US and UK impose sanctions on Iranian Guard Corps deputy commander, Houthi member
The United States and Britain announce fresh sanctions against an Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deputy commander, alongside a member of the Iran-backed Houthis.
Yemen’s Houthis have been targeting shipping in the Red Sea area for months, persisting in attacks despite repeated US and British strikes aimed at degrading their ability to threaten the vital global trade route.
Brian Nelson, US Treasury undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, says the latest sanctions underscore resolve in targeting efforts by the IRGC Quds Force and Houthis to evade sanctions and fund more attacks in the region.
The Quds Force is the IRGC branch responsible for foreign operations, with officials saying it supports militant groups across the region, including the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah.
As the Houthis “persistently threaten the security of peaceful international commerce, the United States and the United Kingdom will continue to disrupt the funding streams that enable these destabilizing activities,” Nelson says.
“The UK will also sanction a Houthi security minister for threatening the peace, security and stability of Yemen by supporting attacks against shipping in the Red Sea,” British authorities say in a statement.
Among those targeted are Mohammad Reza Falahzadeh, current deputy commander of the IRGC Quds Force.
Houthi member Ibrahim al-Nashiri was also named by the United States over support of the group’s militant efforts.
The Treasury also announces sanctions against the owner and operator of a vessel used to ship Iranian commodities — Hong Kong-based Cap Tees Shipping Co — to support both the Houthis and IRGC Quds Force.
“The revenue generated through these illicit networks enables the Houthis’ militant efforts, including numerous terrorist attacks in the region using advanced unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles,” the US Treasury says.
