US sanctions 18 entities and individuals, including two Indians, for ties to Houthi network
- In Reports
- 04:17 PM, Oct 18, 2024
- Myind Staff
The United States has sanctioned 18 companies and individuals, including two Indian nationals, for their involvement in a Houthi network transporting Iranian oil. The revenue generated from this network reportedly funds Houthi attacks on Israel and disrupts shipping in the Red Sea.
The sanctions, issued by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), sanctioned those connected to Sa’id al-Jamal, a Houthi financial officer backed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. The sanctions list includes companies like Changtai Shipping and Motionavigations Limited, registered in the Marshall Islands, and UAE-based Indo Gulf Ship Management.
The two Indians under sanction are Rahul Rattanlal Warikoo, managing director of Indo Gulf Ship Management, and Dipankar Mohan Keot, the company’s technical manager. Warikoo has also held roles in U.S.-sanctioned companies Safe Seas Ship Management and Aurum Ship Management, which have been involved in transporting Iranian oil. Keot oversees operations for the company’s vessels, including budget management.
The sanctions will freeze all assets and interests owned by the sanctioned individuals and companies if they hold more than a 50% stake. These assets must be reported to U.S. authorities.
In addition to these sanctions, two ship captains, Ali Barkhordar and Wahid Ullah Durrani, are also being penalised for assisting in the transport of illicit oil. Barkhordar, an Iranian, was the captain of the vessel YORGOS, which transferred oil to the OLYMPICS, captained by Pakistani national Durrani, in mid-August.
The U.S. Treasury emphasised that the al-Jamal network continues to fund Houthi missile and drone attacks, particularly targeting Israel and shipping in the Red Sea. Acting Undersecretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley T. Smith said the Treasury is determined to cut off this illicit revenue stream, which fuels the Houthis' violent activities.
Comments