TL;DR: On September 30, 2025, Yemen’s Houthi group announced it will target U.S. oil firms including Exxon Mobil and Chevron, labeling them hostile entities despite a prior truce with the U.S.
🔥 What Happened
- On September 30, 2025, Yemen's Houthi group announced it will target major U.S. oil companies, including Exxon Mobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Diamond S Shipping.
- The Houthis declared these companies "hostile entities" and said they "shall be dealt with in accordance with the principle of confrontation", according to the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) website.
⚠️ Sanctions and Targets
- The HOCC, which is linked to the Houthi military, sanctioned 13 U.S. companies, nine executives, and two vessels, opening them up to possible attacks.
- This comes despite a prior truce with the Trump administration, under which the Houthis agreed not to attack U.S.-linked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
🌍 Regional and Economic Context
- The Houthis have attacked over 60 vessels since 2023, mainly in response to the Israel-Gaza war, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.
- The group profits from controlling petroleum imports and sales in Yemen, and uses the revenue to fund military activities.
- The U.S. Treasury has previously sanctioned networks and companies involved in smuggling oil for the Houthis, as well as Iran-linked entities supporting them.
🛑 Industry and Security Impact
- Targeting U.S. oil companies threatens shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key global oil route.
- No immediate response was issued by the targeted companies.
- The announcement adds to regional tensions, with ongoing U.S.-led operations and UN sanctions against Houthi actions in the Red Sea.