US imposes sanctions on Iran and Houthi

20/12/2024 6:12

The United States on Thursday imposed

sanctions on Iran and Houthi-related entities, according to the

Treasury Department website which listed a number of

individuals, companies and vessels that had been targeted.



The sanctions target three vessels involved in the trade of

Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals, which generate billions of

dollars for Iran's leaders, the Treasury said, supporting its

nuclear program, development of ballistic missiles and financing

of proxies including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis.



“The United States is committed to targeting Iran’s key

revenue streams that fund its destabilizing activities,” Bradley

Smith, acting under secretary for terrorism and financial

intelligence, said in a release. Smith said Iran relies on a

"shadowy network of vessels, companies, and facilitators for

those activities.



Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.



The vessels targeted were the Djibouti-flagged crude oil

tanker MS ENOLA, owned by Journey Investment company, the San

Marino-flagged MS ANGIA, and the Panama-flagged MS MELENIA. The

last two tankers are managed and operated by Liberia- and

Greece-registered Rose Shipping Limited, Treasury said.



The sanctions block all property and interests in the United

States of the designated parties and U.S. persons and entities

dealing with them could be exposed to sanctions or enforcement

actions including fines.