The U.S. Again Places Iran-Supported Houthis on the 'Global Terrorists' List

On Friday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that the Houthis have been re-listed as 'specially designated global terrorists' due to their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, effective from Friday, February 16. Last month, the U.S. government stated that it would return the Yemeni rebel groups to this list to prevent further attacks on international shipping in the region. The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea with missile and drone attacks, citing support for Palestinians following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. These attacks have prompted several shipping companies to halt passage through the Red Sea and opt for the longer and more expensive route around the African continent. The United States and its allies have targeted Houthi positions to protect free navigation and passing commercial ships, in addition to implementing special measures. Admiral Brad Cooper, the senior U.S. Navy commander in the Middle East, stated on Thursday, February 15, that Iran's support for the Houthi militants in targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea has been 'vital' and that the Revolutionary Guard is present within Yemen. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 240 hostages, Israel launched an all-out assault on Gaza aimed at destroying this Iran-backed Islamist group. Hamas claims that over 28,000 Palestinians living in Gaza have been killed as a result of the Israeli assault, without specifying the number of its own casualties. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. The senior U.S. commander in the Middle East noted that the Revolutionary Guard operates 'shoulder to shoulder with the Houthis' in Yemen. The U.S. continues to respond to the Iranian government and its proxies, including a cyberattack on the espionage ship Behsad. The consequences of Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have led Arabs and Israelis to create an 'alternative land passage.' A cargo vessel was targeted in waters near Yemen, and a ship carrying Iranian weapons for the Houthi militants was seized; 'CENTCOM' has attacked Houthi positions. The struggle over the Houthis has seen Russia and China clash with the U.S. and the U.K. in the Security Council.