U.S. Sanctions Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij al-Bahadli Over Alleged Iran Ties

The U.S. State Department accused Ali Maarij al-Bahadli of abusing his position to divert Iraqi oil in support of Iran's regime and its terrorist proxies. The sanctions were announced on May 8, 2026, following reports from multiple outlets. The U.S. claims he facilitated Iran's evasion of sanctions by enabling oil exports through Iraq. The exact nature of the alleged activities remains unspecified in the reports, though the focus is on oil diversion and sanctions evasion.