President Joe Biden intends to brand the Shiite Islamist Houthis a “specially-designated global terrorist,” but not a foreign terrorist organization, in response to the Iran-backed group’s attacks on international shipping, according to U.S. officials.

“These attacks fit the textbook definition of terrorism,” a senior administration official told reporters. “We’ve taken this action to pressure the Houthis to cease their terrorist activities, including missile and drone attacks against international shipping.”