On Tuesday, Yemen’s Houthis made headlines by announcing sanctions against major U.S. oil companies, including ExxonMobil and Chevron, along with nine executives and two vessels. These sanctions appear to be a response to U.S. sanctions placed on the Houthis earlier this year, despite a truce agreement made with the Trump administration, where the Houthis had pledged to refrain from attacking U.S.-linked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Since 2023, the Houthis have launched multiple assaults on vessels in the Red Sea that they consider linked to Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s war on Gaza. The Houthis have occasionally targeted vessels in the Gulf of Aden, which links the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. Houthis’ Stated GoalThe HOCC statement included: “The ultimate goal of the sanctions is not punishment in itself, but to bring about positive behavioral change.”Did you subscribe to our daily Newsletter?