The United States has imposed sanctions on several entities and individuals linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Houthi militants, along with firms registered in Hong Kong and the Marshall Islands, as well as two ships involved in transporting Iranian commodities to China.
Among those targeted by the sanctions are Mohammad Reza Falahzadeh, an Iranian official, and Ibrahim al-Nashiri, a member of the Houthi group. Additionally, Hong Kong-registered Kohana Co. Ltd. and Marshall Islands-registered Iridescent Co. Ltd., along with their associated vessel Kohana, have been designated for sanctions. The Kohana is accused of shipping over USD 100 million worth of Iranian commodities to businesses in China on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Defence.
Furthermore, the US has sanctioned Hong Kong-based Cap Tees Shipping Co. Ltd., the owner of the vessel Artura. The Artura is alleged to have transported Iranian commodities for the network of Sa’id al-Jamal, a previously sanctioned Houthi and Iranian financial facilitator. The Treasury Department claims that the Artura obscured its identity by using the name of another vessel, Sanan II, for some shipments.
Brian Nelson, the undersecretary of the Treasury, emphasized Iran’s Ministry of Defence’s involvement in destabilizing activities, such as aiding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supplying weapons to militia groups targeting US forces in Iraq and Syria. The sanctions imposed block access to US property and bank accounts and prohibit the targeted individuals and companies from conducting business with Americans.
Tensions between the US, Iran, and Houthi militants have heightened following a series of maritime attacks in the Middle East, which have been linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Multiple vessels have been targeted in a single Houthi assault for the first time in the ongoing conflict.
The White House has recently pledged to announce additional sanctions on Iran in response to its arms sales, which have reportedly supported Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The US administration has warned of a “swift” and “severe” response if Iran proceeds with selling ballistic missiles to Moscow.
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