Overview
- The Treasury Department named Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly and three leaders of Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq on Thursday, triggering asset freezes and a ban on U.S. dealings.
- U.S. officials say Al-Bahadly enabled Iranian crude to be mixed with Iraqi oil and moved with forged Iraqi papers to evade sanctions.
- The designations tie the scheme to sanctioned smuggler Salim Ahmed Said, who allegedly won access to Iraqi oil and placed allies inside the ministry.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Iran is looting Iraqi resources, and analysts call the step against a senior Iraqi official rare and meant to shape cabinet picks.
- The action follows more than 600 militia attacks on U.S. sites in Iraq, and U.S. officials are pressing the incoming government to cut support for armed groups integrated into state bodies.