Barran Press
The U.S. government announced on Thursday the imposition of sanctions on 18 companies, individuals, and a ship linked to the financial operations of Saeed Al-Jamal, a key figure associated with the Houthi movement, which is designated as a terrorist organization.
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury seen by Barran Press, the sanctions target the leaders of vessels transporting illicit oil, as well as the companies that manage and operate these ships. The Treasury noted that Al-Jamal's revenue network has enabled the Houthis to conduct attacks in the region, including missile strikes and drone assaults on Israel and commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea.
Bradley T. Smith, the Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated that the Houthis rely on Al-Jamal's international network and its intermediaries for the transport and sale of Iranian oil. He affirmed the Treasury's commitment to using all available tools to disrupt this major source of illicit revenue.
This action was taken under the authority of Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, which targets individuals and entities involved in terrorism. Al-Jamal was previously designated under this order on June 10, 2021, for his support of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Quds Force.
The Treasury's statement highlighted that Al-Jamal's network utilizes a series of front companies and partners across multiple jurisdictions to facilitate the sale of Iranian oil for the benefit of the Houthis. For example, in late 2023, a Panama-flagged tanker named Kapok (IMO 9315654), owned by Changtai Shipping Ltd, transported over one million barrels of crude oil valued in the tens of millions of dollars on behalf of Al-Jamal and Houthi-linked businessman Abdi Nasser Ali Mahmoud, currently residing in Turkey.
The following entities were added to the sanctions list:
Companies:
- Changtai Shipping Ltd
- Motionavigations Limited
- Indo Gulf Ship Management LLC
- Eco Max Trading FZE
- Eco Max FZE
Ships:
- KAPOK (IMO 9315654)
- MARBEL (IMO 9220938)
- TROPHY (IMO 9220940)
- ONYX (IMO 9252400)
- LIANA (IMO 9236755)
- GRATIA (IMO 9260055)
- JUVENIS (IMO 9260067)
- KUKKI (IMO 9247388)
Individuals:
- Yevhen Skriabin
- Rahul Rattanlal Warikoo Rattanlal
- Dipankar Mohan Keot
- Ali Barkhordar
- Waheedullah Durrani
These companies, individuals, and vessels have been designated under E.O. 13224 for providing financial and material support to Al-Jamal's network and the Houthis.
On October 2, 2024, the U.S. had already imposed sanctions on a Houthi leader and four companies accused of facilitating arms purchases and generating illicit funds for the group. Among those sanctioned was Hassan Ahmed Hassan Mohammed Al-Kahlani, residing in Iran, who is alleged to facilitate the Houthis' arms smuggling efforts.
Since the beginning of this year, the U.S. has initiated a series of sanctions against companies, individuals, and vessels linked to Saeed Al-Jamal's network, which is accused of managing Iranian funding for the Houthis, including proceeds from oil and gas sales, enabling the group to finance its military operations and enhance its arsenal.
