In a decisive move, the United States has imposed sanctions on two Indian nationals for their alleged involvement with a network supporting the Houthis, a militant group from Yemen. The US Treasury Department has named Rahul Rattanlal Warikoo and Dipankar Mohan Keot, accusing them of facilitating the illegal transport of Iranian oil to raise funds for the Houthis’ activities.
Sanctioned for Supporting the Houthis’ Militant Network
The Houthis are a Shia Muslim militia and political group that currently controls parts of Yemen, including its capital, Sana’a. They are notorious for their violent activities, which include attacks on ships passing through the Red Sea and missile strikes on Israel. According to the US, Iran has been a key supporter of the Houthis, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) plays a significant role in backing them financially and militarily.
As a result of the sanctions, any assets that Warikoo and Keot may have in the United States are now frozen. Moreover, any business or property in which they hold a significant interest is also blocked from accessing US markets. This move forms part of a broader US effort to limit the financial and logistical support that the Houthis receive.
How the Ship Management Company is Involved
Warikoo and Keot have ties to Indo Gulf Ship Management (IGSM), a company based in Sharjah, UAE. According to the US Treasury Department, IGSM managed a vessel involved in transporting millions of dollars’ worth of Iranian oil, which is then sold to fund the Houthis’ activities.
Houthi Rebels Target Commercial Shipping in the Red Sea Amid Regional Conflict
Rahul Rattanlal Warikoo serves as the Managing Director of IGSM, and he has been linked to other shipping companies that have previously faced US sanctions for similar activities, such as Safe Seas Ship Management FZE and Aurum Ship Management FZC. These companies have been implicated in facilitating Iranian oil shipments, which violate international sanctions.
Dipankar Mohan Keot, who works as the Technical Manager for IGSM, is responsible for overseeing the operational budget and technical aspects of the ships managed by the company. Keot and Warikoo are believed to have played key roles in ensuring that these oil shipments, which help fund the Houthis, move smoothly.
Hezbollah Finance Network Targeted by U.S. Sanctions
The central figure behind this illicit network is Sa’id al-Jamal, a financial operator who has long been involved in the illegal sale of Iranian oil. The money raised from these sales goes directly to fund the military campaigns of the Houthis in Yemen. The US government has been actively targeting this network, with the goal of cutting off the Houthis from the financial resources they need to continue their operations.
Impact of Recent Sanctions
The US government’s latest sanctions aim to protect global shipping routes and reduce the ability of the Houthis to continue their violent activities in the Middle East. By freezing the assets of individuals and companies involved in these operations, the US hopes to limit the financial resources available to the group.
These sanctions follow closely after another recent action by the US government against a Mumbai-based company, Gabbaro Ship Services Private Ltd., which was accused of managing oil tankers that transport Iranian crude. This shows how seriously the US is cracking down on those involved in helping Iran and the Houthis in violation of international sanctions.
Cracking Down on Houthi Oil: U.S. Imposes Fresh Sanctions on Indian, Hong Kong Based Facilitators
By targeting Warikoo, Keot, and their associated companies, the US is ramping up its efforts to curb Iran’s influence in the region. The Houthis are heavily reliant on the funds generated through the illegal sale of Iranian oil, and the US government believes that cutting off these financial channels is crucial in weakening their military capacity.
Indo Gulf Ship Management (IGSM), the company at the center of the sanctions, operates a ship called “Kukki,” which flies the Barbados flag. The US Treasury Department has accused IGSM of using this ship to transport Iranian oil for sale on the black market. The profits from these sales are channeled back to the Houthis, allowing them to finance their missile attacks and other violent activities in Yemen and the broader Middle East.
The latest US sanctions are also part of a wider campaign against what it calls Iran’s “Ghost Fleet,” a secret network of ships that transport Iranian oil in defiance of international sanctions. According to US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, this network plays a major role in helping Iran and its allies like the Houthis circumvent international restrictions.
