Recent international monitoring reports have uncovered ongoing violations of U.S. sanctions, with vessels under restriction allegedly transporting Iranian shipments to ports in Yemen controlled by the Houthi militia, notably the strategic Ras Issa terminal in the Hodeidah governorate.

The reports, compiled by maritime tracking agencies and independent watchdogs, indicate that several tankers—previously flagged for sanctions due to links with Iran’s oil trade—have been rerouting through complex shipping networks to deliver cargo to Houthi-held areas.

These shipments are believed to include fuel and other goods that may be used to sustain the militia’s operations.

“The pattern of movement and port calls suggests a deliberate effort to bypass international restrictions,” said one analyst familiar with the investigation. “Ras Issa has become a focal point for these covert deliveries.”

The findings have raised alarm among Western diplomats and regional observers, who warn that such activities not only undermine sanctions enforcement but also risk prolonging the conflict in Yemen by providing the Houthis with critical resources.

U.S. officials have yet to issue a formal response to the latest revelations, though previous violations have prompted tighter maritime surveillance and calls for stricter enforcement mechanisms.

The Ras Issa port, located north of Hodeidah city, has long been a strategic asset for the Houthis, serving as a gateway for fuel imports and a potential revenue stream amid the ongoing war. 

The continued use of sanctioned vessels to supply this port underscores the challenges facing international efforts to curb illicit trade in conflict zones.