UK sanctions Iran’s IRGC units for enabling work of Houthis

Greek-flagged bulk cargo vessel Sea Champion is docked to the port of Aden, Yemen to which it arrived after being attacked in the Red Sea in what appears to have been a mistaken missile strike by Houthi militia, Feb. 21, 2024. (Reuters/File)

• The sanctions were imposed in coordination with the United States
• “The attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis are unacceptable, illegal and a threat to innocent lives,” British foreign minister David Cameron said

LONDON: Britain on Tuesday imposed sanctions on units of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), targeting those who it said were enabling the work of the Houthis, the Iran-linked group responsible for attacks on shipping in the Red Sea.
The sanctions were imposed in coordination with the United States.
Britain’s sanctions target Mohammad Reza Fallahzadeh, a deputy commander of the IRGC, three units of the IRGC Quds Force, Iran-based financier Sa’id Al-Jamal and a Houthi security minister, the UK foreign ministry said.
“The attacks by the Iran-backed Houthis are unacceptable, illegal and a threat to innocent lives and freedom of navigation,” British foreign minister David Cameron said in a statement.
“As I have made clear to the Iranian Foreign Minister, the regime bears responsibility for these attacks due to the extensive military support it has provided to the Houthis.”
Shipping risks have escalated due to repeated Houthi drone and missile strikes in the Red Sea region since November in support of Palestinians in Gaza.
US and British forces have responded with several strikes on Houthi facilities.