U.S. Sanctions Iraq's Deputy Oil Minister and Two Iraqi Militia Leaders

The United States sanctioned Iraq's deputy oil minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly and three senior leaders of the Iran-aligned militias Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq on May 7, 2026. The Treasury Department announced the measures on Thursday, accusing Al-Bahadly of abusing his position to facilitate the diversion of Iraqi oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq.

U.S. Assets the individuals hold and bar Americans from doing business with them. The Treasury Department said it sanctioned Iraq's deputy oil minister and militias over support for Iran. It also targeted senior figures tied to Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq.

The US accuses Ali Maarij al-Bahadly of helping Iran avoid sanctions and export its oil through Iraq. com.

“The Treasury Department accused Iraq's minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly of abusing his position to facilitate the diversion of oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq." — Reuters report of the Treasury Department statement The sanctions were announced on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The United States sanctioned Iraq's deputy oil minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly for allegedly facilitating the diversion of Iraqi oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq. The US Treasury Department sanctioned senior figures tied to Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and senior figures tied to Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq. WASHINGTON — The United States has targeted a senior Iraqi official and militia commanders in a single day to disrupt what it describes as a network moving Iraqi crude to benefit Tehran. The action comes as the flow of oil through informal channels has persisted despite broader international pressure on Iran. Al-Bahadly's alleged role centered on using his government position to enable the diversion, the Treasury Department stated.”