Washington, In a significant development, the United States has explicitly accused Iran of actively planning and executing drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Houthi group on Israel and ships in the Red Sea. Deputy White House National Security Adviser Jon Finer stated that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) plays a pivotal role in these attacks, alleging Iran’s direct involvement in the planning, execution, and support of the assaults.
The accusation comes following the imposition of new sanctions by the U.S. aimed at curbing what officials claim is Iranian financial backing for the Houthi strikes. Finer emphasized that the Houthis’ capability to carry out such attacks relies on the support and involvement of the IRGC.
Despite these claims, Iran has vehemently denied any connection to the attacks. The Houthis, in response to Israel’s offensive against Tehran-backed militant group Hamas, have been staging attacks on Israel and its ships in the Red Sea, asserting their actions as a response to the situation in Gaza.
The U.S. Treasury, as part of its response, announced sanctions targeting individuals and entities allegedly channeling millions of dollars to the Houthis from the sale and shipment of Iranian commodities. The sanctions freeze assets in the U.S. and restrict Americans from engaging in transactions with the targeted entities.
Among those targeted are Said al-Jamal, an Iran-based Houthi financial facilitator, and Bilal Hudroj, a Lebanon-based exchange house operator, both already under U.S. sanctions. The Treasury detailed their involvement in a complex web of currency exchange activities across multiple countries.
The entities and individuals subject to the latest sanctions include a jewelry shop and exchange house in Turkey, along with counterparts in St. Kitts and Nevis, Britain, and Russia.
