The Treasury Department announced new sanctions against Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Oil, Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, accusing him of helping divert Iraqi oil for the benefit of Iran and its proxy militias.

•� � Treasury says Al-Bahadly helped facilitate oil smuggling operations tied to Iran-backed groups while disguising Iranian oil as Iraqi oil to evade sanctions.

•� � The sanctions also target senior members of Iran-backed militias in Iraq, including officials tied to Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq and Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada.