Iran-Aligned Houthis Sanction US Oil Majors

Group 1 - Major U.S. oil companies and their executives have been sanctioned by a Houthi-affiliated body for allegedly violating a Houthi embargo [1][3] - The Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center (HOCC) sanctioned 13 U.S. oil companies, nine executives, and two assets linked to the U.S. [3] - Companies affected include ExxonMobil, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66, Marathon Petroleum, Valero, and Occidental, along with their top executives [4] Group 2 - The sanctions are described as a response to U.S. sanctions, with the Houthis claiming the action is based on the principle of reciprocity [5] - The geopolitical context includes ongoing events in the Middle East, such as the Israeli offensive in Gaza and the re-imposition of UN sanctions on Iran [6] - The Houthis also claimed responsibility for an attack on a Netherlands-flagged cargo ship, indicating a potential escalation in maritime security risks [7]