Iraq Denies US Claims Deputy Oil Minister Helped Iran Evade Sanctions

08/05/2026

BAGHDAD, May 8: Iraq’s oil ministry has rejected US accusations against Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij al-Bahadli after Washington imposed sanctions on him over alleged support for Iran and efforts to evade international restrictions.

The US State Department announced the sanctions on Thursday, accusing Bahadli of abusing his government position to divert Iraqi oil in support of Iran and groups aligned with Tehran. Washington alleged that he was involved in a scheme that fraudulently mixed Iraqi and Iranian crude to help Iran bypass US sanctions.

In response, Iraq’s oil ministry denied the allegations, saying the accusations lacked evidence. In a statement carried by Iraq’s state-run INA news agency late Thursday, the ministry stressed the importance of transparency and called for all claims to be addressed “based on evidence and facts.”

The sanctions come as the United States increases pressure on Baghdad to curb the influence of Iran-linked networks and tighten oversight of regional oil trade activities.