U.S. Treasury Confirms Sanctions on Iraqi Oil Officials and Iran‑Aligned Militias

### Claim 1 The U.S. Treasury Department announced a new round of sanctions targeting individuals and entities accused of exploiting Iraq's oil sector to benefit Iran and its proxy militias.

Evidence - The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) released a press statement on Thursday detailing designations of persons and companies that “exploited Iraq’s oil sector to benefit Iran and its proxy militias.” - The announcement appears on the Treasury’s official website and is echoed by multiple reputable news outlets.

Verdict – True.

Analysis Official Treasury communications leave no doubt that a sanctions package was issued. The language matches the claim, and no contradictory reports exist.

### Claim 2 Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on X that the Iranian regime is pillaging resources that belong to the Iraqi people and using Iraqi oil revenues to support militant activities.

Evidence - A post on X (formerly Twitter) from @SecTreasury quotes Bessent: “Like a rogue gang, the Iranian regime is pillaging resources that rightfully belong to the Iraqi people… Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran’s military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism.” - The Treasury’s website reproduces the same wording in a briefing summary.

Verdict – Mostly true.

Analysis The quotation is authentic and matches the claim’s substance. The only uncertainty is the platform label; the post was indeed on X, confirming the claim’s core.

### Claim 3 The Office of Foreign Assets Control sanctioned Ali Maarij Al‑Bahadly, identified by the Treasury as Iraq's deputy minister of oil, for allegedly abusing his position to route oil to benefit Iran and militia groups in Iraq.

Evidence - OFAC’s sanction list names Ali Maarij Al‑Bahadly and describes him as “Iraq’s deputy minister of oil” who “abused his position to facilitate the export of Iranian oil through Iraq and to support militia groups.” - Treasury press releases and State Department briefings repeat this description.

Verdict – True.

Analysis All official documents consistently label Al‑Bahadly as the deputy oil minister and allege his involvement in illicit oil routing. The claim aligns precisely with the Treasury’s published rationale.

What to watch next – Monitor how the sanctions affect oil flows in Iraq and whether Tehran or the designated militias respond with counter‑measures.