US targets Iraq oil official and militias with sanctions for aiding Iran
The Treasury Department said the sanctions freeze U.S.-linked assets and target networks that mixed Iranian crude with Iraqi oil to evade restrictions.
- On Thursday, the United States Treasury Department sanctioned Iraq's Deputy Minister of Oil, Ali Maarij al-Bahadly, and designated three leaders of Iran-backed armed groups for facilitating oil smuggling and terrorism.
- Treasury officials allege al-Bahadly used his positions in the Iraq Ministry of Oil to divert products benefiting Iran-affiliated smuggler Salim Ahmed Said, whom the United States sanctioned last year for selling Iranian oil falsely declared as Iraqi.
- Victoria Taylor, a former United States State Department official, said the move sends a "tough signal by the Trump administration" during Baghdad's cabinet deliberations, aimed at preventing al-Bahadly from becoming Minister of Oil.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the Iranian regime is "pillaging resources that rightfully belong to the Iraqi people," as the United States continues pushing to exclude Iran's closest allies from power in Iraq.
- United States forces imposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz to halt Iranian oil exports, following joint US-Israel strikes in late February that left the region in ongoing conflict.
27 Articles
27 Articles
US Sanctions Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Over Ties to Iran
The United States imposed sanctions on Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij al-Bahadly and militias on May 7 over support for Iran, the U.S. Treasury Department said. The Treasury Department, in a statement, accused Maarij of abusing “his position to facilitate the diversion of oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq.” The move comes as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Operation Economic Fury,” w…
Iraq denies US claims deputy oil minister helped Iran evade sanctions
Iraq's oil ministry has denied US accusations against its deputy minister, who the United States hit with sanctions over alleged support to Iran as Washington escalates pressure on Baghdad to break with Iranian-linked groups. The US State Department on Thursday announced sanctions on Ali Maarij al-Bahadli, saying he "abused his government position to divert Iraqi oil in support of the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies." It accused him of …
The Iraqi Ministry of Oil has rejected the accusations made by the U.S. against the deputy minister of the portfolio, Ali Maaraj al Bahadli, sanctioned on Thursday by Washington for allegedly helping Iran avoid the punitive measures imposed against the Asian country. The portfolio has indicated in a social media statement that it “rejects the accusations filed” against Al Bahadli and has stated that “total respect for the legal procedures of the…
Scott Bessent Says Iran Regime Is Like A 'Rogue Gang' Pillaging Iraq's Resources As Treasury Unveils New
The U.S. Treasury Department on Thursday announced a new round of sanctions targeting individuals and entities accused of exploiting Iraq's oil sector to benefit Iran and its proxy militias, escalating Washington's pressure campaign against Tehran. Bessent Says U.S. Will Not ‘Stand Idly By' Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on X, the Iranian regime was "pillaging resources that rightfully belong to the Iraqi people" and using Iraqi oil reven…
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