The U.S. Department of the Treasury has imposed new sanctions on Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Oil and three senior leaders of Iran-aligned militias for allegedly diverting Iraqi oil revenues to fund terrorist activities.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Deputy Minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly for abusing his position to sell oil for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy groups. The sanctions also target leaders from Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq, both previously designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The Treasury aims to hold these groups accountable for attacks against U.S. personnel, civilians, and diplomatic facilities across Iraq.
“Like a rogue gang, the Iranian regime is pillaging resources that rightfully belong to the Iraqi people,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran's military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States and our partners.”
The actions are part of the Treasury's Economic Fury campaign, which utilizes executive orders to target Iran's petroleum sector and terrorist supporters. The United States will continue to maintain maximum pressure on Iran to disrupt the regime's ability to generate and move funds.