Houthis reciprocates and impose sanctions on USA oil companies – What does this mean

Recently on 30th Sept’ 2025, Houthis have announced through HOCC to sanction 13 USA companies, 9 CEO and 2 ships.

HOCC- Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center was set up in 2024 to communicate between Houthis and shipping companies.  

The details of companies / individuals on which sanctions are imposed are as below

13 US companies

1. ExxonMobil

2. Chevron Trading

3. Enterprise Products

4. Phillips 66

5. Marathon Petroleum Supply

6. ConocoPhillips

7. Valero Marketing and Supply

8. Energy Transfer Crude Marketing

9. EPIC Crude Terminal

10. GCC Supply & Trading

11. Occidental Energy Marketing

12. Pioneer Natural Resources

13. Diamond S Shipping 

Below are the name of 9 individuals who are executive levels of different companies

• Darren Wayne Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil

• Michael Karl Wirth, CEO of Chevron

• Ryan Michael Lance, CEO of ConocoPhillips

• Mark C. Lashier, CEO of Phillips 66

• Michael J. Hennigan, CEO of Marathon Petroleum

• Alan Smith, CEO of Enterprise Products

• Joseph W. Gorder, CEO of Valero

• Paul M. Sankey, CEO of Energy Transfer Crude Marketing

• Lois Zabrocky, CEO of International Seaways (whose vessels were also sanctioned) 

Below are the name of 2 ships which are sanctioned

• Seaways San Saba

• Seaways Brazos

  
  

What does it mean

• The Houthis have blamed these entities / individuals to purchase and sell crude oil in a way which is not in benefit of Yemen and will be subject to action as per the Houthi rules and regulations.

• These companies will not be allowed to work in Yemen, there cargo/oil movement might be attacked while moving near Red Sea and Gulf of Aden

• Houthis are trying to gain a global stage by retaliating to USA in its own way though it will not have much impact on the companies.

• More over this will result in increase in the insurance price of the two ships and the cargo of these entities moving around Red Sea