The United States on Thursday (May 7, 2026) imposed sanctions on Iraq's deputy Oil Minister over support to Iran, as Washington puts intense pressure on the incoming government to sever links.
The deputy Minister, Ali Maarij al-Bahadli, "abused his government position to divert Iraqi oil in support of the Iranian regime and its terrorist proxies," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
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"As part of a scheme to evade sanctions, Iranian oil was fraudulently mixed with Iraqi oil and sold for Iran's benefit," he said.
The United States has unilateral sanctions against Iranian oil, seeking to punish any country or company that buys it.
