Shafaq News- Baghdad
Iraq’s Oil Ministry on Thursday denied allegations againstDeputy Minister for Distribution Affairs Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly following USaccusations linking him to efforts benefiting Iran and allied groups throughIraq’s oil sector.
Earlier in the day, the US Treasury Department’s Office ofForeign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Al-Bahadly along with severalleaders of Iran-aligned armed factions as part of Washington’s “maximumpressure” campaign targeting Iranian oil revenues.
Calling for accusations to be handled with “transparency andresponsibility,” the ministry underlined the need to rely on evidence andverified facts while respecting Iraqi legal and oversight institutions.
It further announced readiness to cooperate with any “fairinvestigation,” citing the Iraqi judiciary and the Federal Integrity Commissionas the competent authorities in such matters.
“Crude oil exports, marketing operations, tanker loading,and related procedures are managed by specialized entities and companies underapproved mechanisms, not by the deputy minister for distribution affairs,” itadded.
Iraq’s State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) hadpreviously denied allegations linked to the country’s oil export operations.
