US Sanctions Iraqi Oil Official in Iran Pressure Drive
Washington— The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Iraq’s deputy oil minister and several Iran-aligned militia leaders, accusing them of facilitating oil diversion schemes that benefited Tehran and armed groups operating in Iraq, the U.S. Treasury Department said.
The Treasury Department said Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly abused his official position to enable the sale of oil for the benefit of the Iranian government and affiliated militias in Iraq.In a statement, Treasury accused Al-Bahadly of helping divert Iraqi oil revenues to support “the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq.” Iraq’s oil ministry and the deputy minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The sanctions were announced as Washington and Iran moved closer to a temporary arrangement aimed at halting hostilities, with Tehran reviewing a proposal that could pause the conflict while leaving major disputes unresolved.The U.S. Treasury also imposed sanctions on three senior figures associated with the Iran-backed militias Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq.
“Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran’s military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States and our partners,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.The sanctions freeze any assets held in the United States by those designated and generally prohibit U.S. individuals and companies from conducting business with them.
The measures follow remarks made in March by Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani, who said Iranian oil tankers intercepted by U.S. forces in the Gulf had been using forged Iraqi documents. Tehran denied the allegation.
The latest sanctions highlight Washington’s continued efforts to disrupt Iran’s regional financial and logistical networks while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic contacts aimed at containing wider conflict across the Middle East.
