US and UK Sanction Deputy Commander of IRGC Quds Force

The US Treasury Department, in a joint action with the UK, has sanctioned the deputy commander of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and a member of the Houthis affiliated with the Iranian government. On Tuesday, the US Treasury Department stated in a press release that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) acted against Mohammad Reza Fallahzadeh, the deputy commander of the IRGC Quds Force, in coordination with the UK. The statement mentions that OFAC is also sanctioning the owner and operator of a vessel used to transport Iranian goods and sell them to support the Houthis and the Quds Force. The US Treasury claims that the proceeds from these illegal networks enable the Houthis' militia activities, including 'numerous terrorist attacks in the region using drones and advanced missiles.' Brian Nelson, the US Treasury's Assistant Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, stated, 'Today's action underscores our determination to target the IRGC's and Houthis' efforts to evade US sanctions and finance further attacks in the region.' The US Treasury asserts that the IRGC Quds Force has provided the Houthis with an advanced arsenal and trained them to use these weapons against commercial shipping and civilian infrastructure in the region. The US Treasury also claims that Iranian military officials have provided significant intelligence support to the Houthis to target vessels passing through the region's waters, enabling them to attack international shipping. The Treasury sanctioned the vessel Artura, which it says is operated by 'Cap Tiz Shipping Company' in Hong Kong, as well as Ibrahim al-Nashiri, a member of the Houthi group. Following the Houthis' attacks on ships, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced on Wednesday, January 17, that the United States would once again designate 'Ansar Allah,' also known as the Houthis, as an international terrorist organization. The Islamic Republic had criticized this US position. Blinken: Houthis will again be added to the list of US terrorist organizations. Criticism from the Islamic Republic regarding US and UK attacks on Houthi positions in Yemen. CENTCOM: Houthi missile attack on US ship caused no damage. The fourth extensive attack on Houthi positions; coalition forces: We will not hesitate to defend human lives and the free flow of trade. The US has expanded its Iran-related sanctions. A senior US commander in the Middle East: The IRGC operates 'shoulder to shoulder with the Houthis' in Yemen. The US has destroyed two vessels and three Houthi cruise missiles. Blinken's warning to the Islamic Republic: Support for the Houthis will have 'consequences.'