The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on three vessels and their owners for supporting the Houthis, an Iranian-backed group, to disrupt their funding of attacks in the Red Sea. These sanctions are part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to curb the Houthis' activities, which threaten international shipping and navigation. The Houthis have been leveraging control over Yemeni ports to finance their operations, creating economic strain and corruption in Yemen. The US military has intensified its presence in the Middle East to counter these threats, conducting airstrikes against Houthi targets. The Houthis have escalated attacks following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, targeting US ships while avoiding Chinese and Saudi vessels, raising strategic concerns among defense officials.

The US Treasury Department announced sanctions targeting three vessels linked to the Houthis for their role in supporting dangerous and destabilizing attacks in the Red Sea, threatening global navigation and international commerce.

The Trump administration's strategy involves leveraging military and financial tools to disrupt the Houthis' funding sources, which include revenues from Yemeni ports under their control and the sale of petroleum products on the black market.

In response to increased Houthi aggression, the US has moved additional combat forces into the Middle East, conducting airstrikes against Houthi military targets to protect US and allied interests.

The Houthis have been designated as a global terrorist organization by the US State Department, and their actions in the Red Sea have led to significant disruptions in international shipping.

Despite targeting US warships, the Houthis have strategically avoided attacking Chinese and Saudi vessels, prompting questions among defense officials regarding their broader tactical objectives.

These sanctions and military actions follow the Houthis' intensified assault in the Red Sea, which began after the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, further complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region.

The US Treasury has highlighted the risks of providing support to the Houthis, which not only invites sanctions but also poses safety threats to vessels and crew due to potential Houthi attacks.