OFAC Sanctions Chinese Companies, Others Moving Goods for Houthis

The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week sanctioned several China-based companies, a person in Iran and others for helping to move weapons, dual-use items or commercial goods in support of the Houthis, the Yemen-based group that the U.S. designated as a terrorist organization in January (see 2401170025).

One designation targets Shenzhen Boyu Imports and Exports Co., Limited, a Chinese logistics firm that OFAC said has helped move multiple shipments of dual-use weapons parts for the Houthis. OFAC also sanctioned Shenzhen Jinghon Electronics Limited, which has helped the Houthis buy tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of dual-use components, and Shenzhen Rion Technology Co., Ltd., another company from which the Houthis have bought “critical components” used to make missiles and unmanned drones.

The agency also sanctioned Iran-based Hasan Ahmad Hasan Muhammad al-Kuhlani for helping the Houthis smuggle goods and move Iranian “lethal aid” to the group, along with Marshall Islands-registered Gemini Marine Limited and its two ships: the Gabon-flagged Izumo and the Cook Islands-flagged crude oil tanker Frunze. OFAC said the vessels have been linked to illegal shipments of Russian oil, saying the Izumo is currently moving petroleum for Sepehr Energy Jahan Nama Pars, a commercial arm of Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff that the agency sanctioned in 2023 (see 2311290034).