On January 24, 2025, Iran criticized the U.S. re-designation of Yemen’s Houthis as a “foreign terrorist organization” by Trump, labeling it “baseless” and potentially harmful to the Yemeni people. The Houthis have conducted numerous attacks in the Red Sea, exacerbating global shipping disruptions. This designation follows a history of fluctuating U.S. policies under both Trump and Biden administrations.
On January 24, 2025, Iran rebuked the designation by former U.S. President Donald Trump of Yemen’s Houthi movement as a “foreign terrorist organization”. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the designation as “baseless” and expressed concerns that it would lead to increased economic penalties on the Houthis, which he characterized as unjust sanctions against the Yemeni populace.
Baghaei asserted that such unilateral actions undermine the rule of law in international relations and pose a threat to regional stability. The Houthis, who hold significant control over Yemen, have reportedly conducted over 100 attacks on vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the conflict in Gaza.
These assaults have disrupted international shipping routes significantly, forcing shipping companies to divert their vessels around southern Africa, increasing their operational costs. Former President Joe Biden had previously reversed Trump’s designation in 2021 for humanitarian reasons but later assigned the Houthis the status of a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” organization, stopping short of reinstating the full terrorist designation.
The Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, has been a significant actor in Yemen’s prolonged civil conflict. The group has increasingly engaged in hostile actions in the Red Sea, often to express solidarity with various geopolitical causes. The U.S. has previously struggled to balance the humanitarian implications of labeling the Houthis as terrorists against the need to address their aggressive actions, resulting in fluctuating designations under different administrations.
In summary, Iran’s condemnation of the U.S. designation of the Houthis underscores ongoing tensions regarding international recognizing terrorism and human rights issues in Yemen. The Houthis’ violence has raised serious concerns over regional peace and security, while the international community grapples with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Yemen resulting from these conflicts.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
