US officials: Washington is studying the classification of "Ansar Allah" Houthi as a terrorist group

The officials warned, according to the Washington Post, not to take any decision, but they said that the administration is discussing several potential moves, which could also include designating individual Houthi leaders as "global terrorists."

Under this classification, providing support to the Houthis would be illegal, and members of this group were prevented from traveling to the United States and freezing the group's financial assets.

The Trump administration had previously considered designating the Houthi "Ansar Allah" group as a terrorist group in 2018, but the plan was postponed, in part due to concerns that it might complicate the delivery of aid and would endanger Western workers in Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

But now, as the administration seeks to extend the "maximum pressure" campaign against the Iranian government, this classification appears more likely. In recent days, senior officials have announced new steps to prevent Iran's access to ballistic missiles and other conventional weapons. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Activate all international sanctions against Iran, a position that few countries support.

Observers believe that the possible designation of describing the Houthis as terrorists places the hawks of the Trump administration, the most aggressive towards Iran, against officials who see this step inconsistent with the US goal of a comprehensive peace settlement for Yemen that includes a role for the Houthis in the government.

A senior US official said that officials are preparing for a legal and intelligence review to determine whether the actions of the Houthi group rise to the status of terrorist classification.

"I think the facts have changed since the last time they conducted the review, and there is likely to be more convincing intelligence that might support this classification," the official added.

This is the same review process that led to the 2019 decision to designate the powerful Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a foreign terrorist group, despite the objections of officials in some agencies, including the Ministry of Defense.

Western officials say Iran has steadily increased its support for the Houthis, providing more missiles, drones and aid on the ground.

The discussions also reflect an acknowledgment that the political process led by UN envoy Martin Griffiths is unlikely to produce a deal anytime soon, with Griffiths telling the UN Security Council last week that the fighting in Yemen has intensified.

Although the peace process appeared to gain momentum in late 2018 and 2019, when both sides declared ceasefires over the past year, they have resumed attacks.

"The situation is extremely dire, and the parties can choose either to continue this escalating violence path, or to make the concessions necessary to revive the political process," Griffiths said.

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ANHA