US sanctions Iran-linked networks in Iraq, Lebanon and UAE

WASHINGTON, Sept 10: The United States has imposed sanctions on a network of individuals and companies in Iraq, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates over alleged links to Iran and Iran-backed armed groups.

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added 13 individuals to its sanctions list, including several Iraqi nationals it linked to Kataib Hezbollah and Lebanese nationals allegedly connected to Hezbollah.

The sanctions also targeted five companies and financial businesses operating across the three countries.

Among those designated were Iraq-based Ain Al Iraq and Al Brouj, Lebanon-based Gold Pro and YIM Exchange, and Dubai-based Shams and Bahar Trading Company.

The Treasury said two Iraqi nationals associated with Shams and Bahar were sanctioned under a US executive order related to Iran. OFAC identified one of the individuals as also holding Canadian nationality, while the other also holds Turkish nationality.

The latest measures form part of Washington's efforts to disrupt financial networks and businesses that it says support Iran and armed groups backed by Tehran.