"Like a rogue gang, the Iranian regime is pillaging resources that rightfully belong to the Iraqi people. Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran's military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States and our partners."
"According to OFAC, al-Bahadly has for years used his official positions first as head of the Iraqi parliament's oil and gas committee, then within the Iraq Ministry of Oil to facilitate the diversion of Iraqi oil products to benefit an alleged Iran-affiliated oil smuggler, Salim Ahmed Said and AAH."
"The smuggler, according to US officials, obtained favoured access to Iraqi oil and procured forged documentation from Iraqi government officials, legitimising illicit oil."
The US Treasury Department sanctioned Iraq's Deputy Minister of Oil, Ali Maarij al-Bahadly, for allegedly assisting Iran in selling oil and circumventing international restrictions. The action also targeted three leaders of Iran-backed armed groups, Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, which the US holds responsible for attacks on American personnel. According to Treasury officials, al-Bahadly used his government positions to divert Iraqi oil products to benefit an Iran-affiliated smuggler, Salim Ahmed Said. The smuggler obtained forged documentation from Iraqi officials to legitimize illicit oil sales falsely declared as Iraqi. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated the sanctions aim to prevent Iran from exploiting Iraqi resources to fund terrorism.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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