The US Treasury has sanctioned Iraq’s Deputy Oil Minister, Ali Maarij al-Bahadly, and leaders of pro-Iran militias, accusing them of helping Iran to sell oil in violation of US sanctions.“Like a rogue gang, the Iranian regime is pillaging resources that rightfully belong to the Iraqi people,” said US Treasury Secretary 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.”Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listNeither Iraq nor Iran has responded.Thursday’s sanctions also come as the US and Iran battle over control of the Strait of Hormuz, the vital conduit for oil exports from the Gulf region.Iraq has come under pressure from the US in recent months over accusations that it is too close to neighbouring Iran. President Donald Trump warned earlier this year that Washington would stop support for Iraq – if pro-Iran Nouri al-Maliki became Iraq’s prime minister. He later dropped out of the running.Let’s take a closer look.Who has the US sanctioned?Al-Bahadly is the most prominent figure to be sanctioned by the US on Thursday. He has overseen Iraqi oil governance for years, first as head of the Iraqi parliament’s oil and gas committee. The US Treasury says he later held roles in the oil ministry, including head of the licensing and contracts office, acting minister and deputy leader of the ministry, which has been his …
