The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has designated one individual and three companies for facilitating weapons procurement and smuggling operations for Ansarallah, also known as the Houthis. The targeted entities are based in Iran and China and have allegedly assisted the Houthis in acquiring materials needed for advanced missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
OFAC is also sanctioning one entity and two vessels linked to illicit shipments associated with Houthi financial official Sa’id al-Jamal and an affiliate of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff. Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Bradley T. Smith stated, “The Houthis continue to leverage their networks of companies and procurement operatives to sustain their reckless attacks on civilian vessels, their unarmed crews, and civilian populations.”
This action follows previous OFAC measures from June 17, 2024, and July 31, 2024, targeting similar networks in Yemen, China, Hong Kong, and Oman under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224.
Shenzhen Boyu Imports and Exports Co., Limited is identified as a logistics firm that facilitated shipments of dual-use components for Houthi militants. Shenzhen Jinghon Electronics Limited provided components used in missile production efforts by Houthi forces. Shenzhen Rion Technology Co., Ltd., previously designated under E.O. 13382 on July 30, 2024, has shipped military-grade components for missile guidance systems.
Iran-based Hasan Ahmad Hasan Muhammad al-Kuhlani is named as a facilitator of Houthi weapons smuggling efforts.
Additionally, Gemini Marine Limited owns vessels linked to transporting illicit Iranian oil products supporting destabilizing activities by Iranian partners.
These sanctions block property interests related to these individuals or entities within U.S. jurisdiction. Violations can lead to civil or criminal penalties under OFAC regulations.
For more information on compliance with U.S. sanctions laws or removal from OFAC lists, refer to OFAC’s guidelines.
