ICBPS- In a tweet on Tuesday, the U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has come out in support of sanctions on Iran Quds Force official, stressing “Iran’s support for the Houthis fuels the conflict in Yemen and exacerbates the country’s instability.”

Pompeo also declared that through ambassador Irlu’s presence in Yemen, the IRGC was “signaling its intent to increase support to the Huthis and further complicate international efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict.”

Today, the U.S. is designating Hasan Irlu, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps– Qods Force officer, and an individual and a university supporting IRGC-QF recruitment operations. Iran’s support for the Houthis fuels the conflict in Yemen and exacerbates the country’s instability.

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) December 8, 2020

On Tuesday, the United States plans to impose terrorism-related sanctions on Hasan Irlu, Iran’s ambassador to Yemen, and on Iran’s Al-Mustafa International University, a U.S. official told Reuters.

“The United States is designating Hasan Irlu, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force (IRGC-QF) officer Iran recently sent to Sana’a Yemen to serve as the group’s liaison to the Houthi Movement.  The United States is also designating Al-Mustafa International University, an Iranian university with over 50 international branches which provide a platform for the IRGC-QF’s operations, and Yousef Ali Muraj, who has supported IRGC-QF recruitment operations in the Middle East and United States.  We are designating these individuals and this entity pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended.”

The IRGC-QF is the Iranian regime’s primary tool to sow chaos and destruction across the Middle East.  The United States will continue to take action against the IRGC-QF to disrupt its facilitation networks and cut off resources that support the terrorist group’s activities, the Secretary of State said in a statement.

“Iran’s support for the Houthis fuels the conflict in Yemen and exacerbates the country’s instability.  By dispatching Irlu to Yemen, the IRGC-QF is signaling its intent to increase support to the Houthis and further complicate international efforts to reach a negotiated settlement to the conflict.  The United States continues to support the efforts of UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and Yemen’s neighbors to facilitate a ceasefire and political settlement.  The people of Yemen deserve peace and stability.  We are designating Irlu pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the IRGC-QF.”

“Al-Mustafa International University is based in Iran and maintains dozens of international branches that facilitate IRGC-QF operations through the recruitment of international students, including Americans.  The international community should be wary of Iranian influence, espionage, and terror operations facilitated by the regime’s educational infrastructure.  The IRGC-QF has recruited Pakistani and Afghan students at Al-Mustafa International University to join the Zaynabiyoun Brigade and Fatemiyoun Division, two militias fighting on behalf of the IRGC-QF in Syria that were previously designated under counterterrorism and human rights authorities.  We are designating Al-Mustafa International University pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, IRGC-QF.”