The US on Friday said it has taken its single largest sanctions action to date against Yemen's Houthi militias, a key Iranian ally, by imposing sanctions on four people, 12 entities, and two ships that Washington alleges import oil and other goods for the group. 

Treasury’s Deputy Secretary Michael Faulkender said Friday’s action “underscores our commitment to disrupting the Houthis’ financial and shipping pipelines that enable their reckless behavior in the Red Sea and the surrounding region.” 

The Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against commercial and military ships in the Red Sea corridor as an effort to end Israel’s offensive in Gaza. They have also targeted Israel with long-range missiles. 

Also on Friday, the Trump administration issued fresh Iran-related sanctions, including on two entities based in Hong Kong, and counterterrorism-related sanctions, according to a notice posted to the Treasury Department's website.  

The sanctions target at least 20 entities, five individuals and three vessels, according to Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control.