NEW YORK, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the U.S. Department of the Treasury on Thursday announced sanctions against a high Iraqi official and militias in Iraq for their actions allegedly "benefiting" Iran.
The targets of the new economic pressure measures include Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly, Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Oil, "who abuses his position to facilitate the diversion of oil to be sold for the benefit of the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq," and "three senior leaders of Iran-aligned terrorist militias Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq," according to a news release by the OFAC.
OFAC is making the decision pursuant to previous measures which "target key sectors of Iran’s economy, including Iran’s petroleum sector, as well as terrorist groups, their supporters, and those who aid acts of terrorism," according to the release.
The United States has imposed restrictions on activities with Iran since 1979. As of today, it continues to enforce a "maximum pressure" sanctions campaign against Iran, targeting its oil, financial, and manufacturing sectors, as well as its missile program and proxy networks, according to the U.S. Department of State.
After post-ceasefire negotiations with Iran in April failed to lead to an agreement, the United States has imposed its blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, preventing ships traveling to and from Iranian ports from transiting the waterway. ■