Iran has condemned Trump’s re-designation of Yemen’s Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization,” calling it “baseless” and an excuse for sanctions. The Houthis have conducted numerous attacks on ships, asserting these actions are in support of Palestine amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, disrupting global shipping routes. Former President Biden had previously revoked this designation to address humanitarian concerns in Yemen.
Iran has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to re-designate Yemen’s Houthi movement as a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO), deeming it “baseless.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, asserted that this step is merely an excuse for enacting oppressive sanctions against the Yemeni populace. He emphasized that such unilateral actions undermine international law and could jeopardize regional peace and stability.
The Houthi movement, which exerts control over a significant portion of Yemen, has reportedly executed over 100 attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023. They maintain that these actions are in solidarity with the Palestinian cause amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, having sunk two ships and taken another vessel hostage, resulting in casualties among seafarers.
These maritime confrontations have instigated notable disruptions in global shipping routes, compelling businesses to alter their pathways to avoid conflict areas, thereby incurring additional costs and extended transit times. Notably, in 2021, President Joe Biden had rescinded Trump’s terrorist designations in a bid to address humanitarian issues impacting Yemen, although he categorized the Houthis as a “specially designated global terrorist” group in a subsequent move last year without imposing the stricter FTO label.
The situation involving Iran and Yemen’s Houthis is intertwined with broader geopolitical dynamics. The Houthis, receiving support from Iran, have engaged in military actions that complicate shipping in the Red Sea, impacting global trade. The U.S. has previously grappled with designating the group amidst humanitarian concerns in Yemen, a nation trapped in a devastating civil conflict since 2014.
The recent remarks from Iranian officials reflect a critical stance against the United States’ designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization, framing it as a violation of international norms. The Houthis’ maritime aggression has significant implications for international shipping, emphasizing the ongoing complexities of the Yemen conflict and U.S.-Iran relations, with potential consequences for regional stability.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
