US sanctions Iraqi oil official

The United States has imposed sanctions on Iraq's deputy oil minister and several militia leaders for allegedly aiding Iranian oil sales.

The Treasury Department accused Ali Maarij al-Bahadly of helping Tehran bypass international restrictions to export its crude through Iraq.

The move is part of a broader pressure campaign by the Trump administration to cut off Iran's primary source of revenue during the ongoing war.

Officials stated that the sanctioned individuals exploited Iraq's oil sector to support Iranian-backed terrorist activity and destabilize the region.

The sanctions will freeze any U.S.-based assets held by the targets and prohibit American citizens from doing business with them, further straining relations between Washington and Baghdad.