Yemen's Houthis will target US oil majors, including Exxon Mobil and Chevron, despite an earlier truce agreed with President Donald Trump's administration to not attack US-linked ships sailing in the Red Sea and the wider Gulf of Aden, the Iran-backed terror group said on Tuesday.
The Sanaa-based Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC), which liaises between Houthi forces and commercial shipping operators and is associated with the Houthi military, sanctioned 13 US companies, nine executives, and two vessels.
Entities designated by the Houthis "shall be dealt with in accordance with the principle of confrontation," HOCC said on its website about what it will do regarding those deemed to be under its sanctions.
The announcement is a notice that the companies, which also include ConocoPhillips and Diamond S Shipping, are deemed hostile entities that are open to attack.
The companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
"It remains unclear whether these sanctions signal that the Houthis will begin targeting vessels linked to the sanctioned organizations, companies, and individuals — a move that would risk violating the ceasefire agreement with the Trump administration, facilitated by Oman," independent Middle East analyst Mohammed Albasha said in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday.
"It remains unclear whether these sanctions signal that the Houthis will begin targeting vessels linked to the sanctioned organizations, companies, and individuals - a move that would risk violating the ceasefire agreement with the Trump administration, facilitated by Oman," independent Middle East analyst Mohammed Albasha said in a LinkedIn post on Tuesday.
Houthis launching assaults on vessels in Red Sea
The Houthis, since 2023, have launched numerous assaults on vessels in the Red Sea that they deem to be linked with Israel in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians over Israel's war on Gaza.
This week, they attacked a Dutch cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, injuring two crew and leaving the ship ablaze and adrift.
Last year, the US imported about 500,000 barrels per day of crude and condensate from Persian Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the EIA. That represents about 7% of total US crude oil and condensate imports - the lowest level in nearly 40 years due to increased domestic production and Canadian imports, the agency said.
"Why now? The Houthis say this action is taken under the principle of reciprocity, a response to US sanctions - despite Oman's May 6, 2025, announcement of a de-escalation and ceasefire between the US and them," analyst Albasha wrote.
The Houthi statement, Albasha added, also said "the ultimate goal of these sanctions is not punishment for its own sake, but to bring about a positive change in behavior."