The US announced counter-terrorism sanctions targeting facilitators aiding Yemen's Houthis, Iran's Quds Force, and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.

With Iran's longstanding support, the Houthis have fortified their position in Yemen's decade-long civil conflict, seizing control over vast territories with extensive financial and military backing.

Most recently the group has imposed a blockade on one of the world’s primary sea trade and logistics routes. Multiple attacks have been carried out on global shipping including multiple deaths of seamen earlier this month.

The latest sanctions, imposed on six entities, one individual, and two tankers spanning Liberia, India, Vietnam, Lebanon, and Kuwait, aim to disrupt illicit commodity shipments and financial transactions, according to the US Treasury Department.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said, "We will continue to use the tools at our disposal to target those who ship illicit cargo to benefit terrorist groups."

However, as Iran’s proxy activity continues, many in Washington say sanctions are failing, not least in deterring Iran’s nuclear program which has continued to grow beyond peaceful limits.

In a parallel move, the Treasury Department sanctioned 11 individuals and entities accused of bolstering Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime through illicit financial transfers and drug trafficking.

Iran's extensive backing extends beyond the Houthis, encompassing several other designated terrorist organizations in the region including Hamas in Gaza which waged war on Israel in October 7.