The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on seven senior members of Ansarallah, commonly known as the Iran-backed Houthis, for smuggling weapons and procuring military support from Russia. The statement, seen by Barran Press, details their involvement in these activities.
According to the Treasury Department, these individuals facilitated the transfer of military-grade weapons into Iran-backed Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen and coordinated arms deals with Russian officials. An affiliated operative and his company were also sanctioned for recruiting Yemeni fighters to support Russia in Ukraine while generating revenue for Iran-backed Houthi militant operations.
“By seeking weapons from a growing array of international suppliers, Iran-backed Houthi leaders have shown their intent to continue their reckless and destabilizing actions in the Red Sea region,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. “The United States will use all available tools to disrupt the Iran-backed Houthis’ terrorist activities and degrade their ability to threaten U.S. personnel, our regional partners, and global maritime trade.”

This action falls under Executive Order 13224, a counterterrorism authority, and follows previous U.S. sanctions. The State Department previously designated Ansarallah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) entity in February 2024 and recently reaffirmed its status as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
Key Iran-Backed Houthi Figures Sanctioned
Mohammad Abdulsalam – Iran-backed Houthi spokesman who coordinated weapons procurement from Russia.
Eshaq Abdulmalek Abdullah Almarwani – Senior operative involved in high-level negotiations with Russia.
Mahdi Mohammed Hussein Al-Mashat – Chairman of the Supreme Political Council, increasing Iran-backed Houthi ties with Russia.
Mohamed Ali Al-Houthi – Senior official who coordinated safe passage for Russian vessels in the Red Sea.
Ali Muhammad Muhsin Salih Al-Hadi – Financier responsible for arms procurement and securing Russian investments.
Abdulmalek Abdullah Mohammed E Alagri – Key figure in Iran-backed Houthi diplomatic engagements with Russia and China.
Khaled Hussein Saleh Gaber – Iran-backed Houthi official linked to illicit arms financing.
Abdulwali Abdoh Hasan Al-Jabri – Iran-backed Houthi militant operative who facilitated the recruitment of Yemeni civilians to fight for Russia in Ukraine through his company, Al-Jabri General Trading and Investment Co.

The U.S. has warned that any entities aiding Iran-backed Houthis in weapons smuggling will face consequences.