Iraq denies oil smuggling after US sanctions Iran-linked network
Flights to resume at Mosul airport in 2 months after 11-year hiatus
Iraq says 'committed' to receiving 230,000 barrels of oil daily from KRG
KRG delegation in Baghdad for salary talks after oil export deal
KRG to resume oil exports after new agreement with Iraq
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraq's oil marketing agency on Friday denied reports of smuggling or blending Iraqi oil with that of neighboring countries, after United States sanctions targeted an Iraqi-linked network accused of disguising Iranian oil.
"Talk about the existence of places that allow the smuggling of Iraqi oil and blending it with the oil of neighboring countries is untrue," Ali Nizar Faiq, general director of the State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO), told state-run Iraqi News Agency (INA).
"There are no blending or smuggling operations inside Iraqi ports or regional waters,' he added.
Last month, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against a network accused of smuggling 'billions of dollars' worth of Iranian oil.' The sanctions target companies allegedly controlled by Iraqi-British businessman Salim Ahmed Said, who is accused of using fraudulent documentation and ship-to-ship transfers to disguise Iranian oil as Iraqi, including through blending.
'There is no evidence in any international body that confirms the existence of this kind of blending or smuggling,' Faiq said.
The sanctions are part of renewed US pressure on Iran following the reimposition of Washington's 'maximum pressure' policy in February. The July measures came shortly after a 12-day war between Iran and Israel, during which the US struck Iranian nuclear facilities.
Kurdistan Region oil exports
Faiq also said Iraq is prepared to resume oil exports from the Kurdistan Region once producing companies begin deliveries.
SOMO 'has completed all preparations, and has completed contracts with the purchasing companies, and is fully prepared to start exporting oil from the region as soon as the producing companies in the region start delivering the produced quantities,' he said.
Under a recent agreement between Erbil and Baghdad, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) committed to exporting its oil - about 230,000 barrels per day - through SOMO. In return, Baghdad agreed to release delayed salaries for the KRG's public servants.
Kurdistan Region's oil exports through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline have been halted since March 2023, when a Paris-based arbitration court ruled Ankara had violated a 1973 agreement by allowing the KRG to export oil independently starting in 2014.
Talks between Baghdad, Erbil, and international oil companies continue about a long-term framework to fully restore the Region's exports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Memri
an hour ago
- Memri
Dari-Language Media Outlet: 'In The West, Led By The United States, The Greatest Fear Is That The Plan To Keep Israel Afloat Will Fail'; 'America Has Made The Survival Of The Israeli Regime Conditiona
In a Dari-language article titled "Will the Israeli Regime Collapse Instead of the Islamic Republic of Iran?", released on X by the Bazgasht media outlet, the author argues that while many media outlets focus on the potential fall of Iran, they ignore signs of Israel's internal collapse. He claims that Israel's survival depends on perpetual war but growing dissent among Israeli youth and reports of emigration signal instability. The article suggests the U.S. is willing to destabilize the entire Middle East to protect Israel. Following is a translation of the article: "Israel Will Never Survive Without War – But War Without Occupying The Lands Of Syria And Lebanon Has Not Been Recognized As Beneficial To Israel Either" "Will The Israeli Regime Fall Instead Of The Islamic Republic Of Iran? "Author: Seyyed Hasib Mosleh Biswad "Afghan and Iranian media outlets talk about the overthrow of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its dismemberment into seven countries. However, no Iranian media outlet that opposes the existence of the Islamic Republic of Iran speaks about the possibility of the overthrow of the Israeli regime and the dismemberment of the fake state of Israel itself. "In the West, led by the United States, the greatest fear is that the plan to keep Israel afloat will fail. Israel is trying to stake its survival on the 'policy of survival probability' by creating wars to deceive the minds of the Israelis and maintain the corridor of support needed from the United States and its other supporters among NATO member states. "Israel will never survive without war. But war without occupying the lands of Syria and Lebanon has not been recognized as beneficial to Israel either. Israelis believe that 'Hamas has carved the planks of the coffin of Israel's existence after October 7, 2023.' "Israelis also consider the Israeli regime's continued war against Hamas, Hizbullah in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iran to be the basis for completing the art of carpentry in the policy of completing Israel's coffin, before the destruction of that fake country." "Opposition Among Most Young Israelis To The Continuation Of The Israeli Regime's War Against Hamas, Hizbullah In Lebanon, The Houthis In Yemen, And The Islamic Republic Of Iran Is Growing Day By Day" "Opposition among most young Israelis to the continuation of the Israeli regime's war against Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and the Islamic Republic of Iran is growing day by day. Israeli and Western media outlets do not report much on the thousands of Israelis fleeing Israel. "But Mossad operatives and the ever-ambivalent consideration of pro-Israeli Western Iranians in the direction of propaganda against Iran, exaggerate in the media about the supposed overthrow of the Iranian government and the collapse of most Islamic countries, and instead of [reflecting] the truly difficult political-economic-military conditions of the Israeli regime, which have been called a sign of the overthrow of that regime and even an indication of the possibility of the destruction of the State of Israel. "But America has made the survival of the Israeli regime conditional on the overthrow of the Islamic Republic by starting the second phase of bombing Iran's nuclear bases. "Water shortages and power shortages are being promoted inside and outside Iran to create internal unrest in Western media outlets such as Fox News, BBC, CNN, Voice of America, etc. [U.S. President] Donald Trump has again spoken about the possibility of bombing the Islamic Republic's nuclear bases on the eve of Iran's readiness to resume negotiations on its nuclear program. The second wave of Israeli and American attacks on Iran has been completed." "The Escape Of Israelis Will Endanger The Lives Of The Druze And Other Muslim And Christian Bedouin Minorities Living In Occupied Palestine" "The renewed condemnation of Israel by most Western countries with a policy of rejection and acceptance has angered Trump. Israel's defeat is known as America's failure to occupy and annex territories outside America's territorial integrity. But Israel's internal collapse will cause all Israelis to emigrate and flee from occupied Palestine. "The escape of Israelis will endanger the lives of the Druze and other Muslim and Christian Bedouin minorities living in occupied Palestine. The Israelis' refuge in Western countries has also raised the issue of the re-emergence of anti-Jewish parties in Europe and America. The defeat and collapse of Israel will deal huge blows to American oil, gas, and commodity companies and markets in the Muslim world. "America is willing to sacrifice the whole of Iran and the Middle East for the survival of Israel. But the main question is, will Israel use nuclear bombs against Iran, Syria, Yemen, Iraq, and even Lebanon for its survival? Time will tell." Source: July 23, 2025.
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
US rejects Palestinian statehood recognition
Shafaq News – London On Friday, US Vice President JD Vance reaffirmed Washington's stance against recognizing a Palestinian state, citing uncertainty over what recognition would entail given the absence of an established government. Speaking during a meeting with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Vance emphasized that US priorities remain focused on preventing further attacks on civilians and alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Acknowledging differing approaches, Vance noted that allies might pursue separate strategies. 'We may differ with the UK on how to achieve objectives in the Middle East, but we will talk about that today,' he added, underscoring the UK's sovereign right to decide on recognition. Meanwhile, Lammy reiterated the UK's call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, highlighting the need for close coordination with the US on multiple fronts. Earlier, 25 foreign ministers and a senior European Union official urged an immediate ceasefire, denouncing the escalating humanitarian emergency. Pointing to over 800 Palestinian fatalities amid aid efforts, the group condemned Israel's blockade as a violation of international law and called for unrestricted access for United Nations agencies and humanitarian organizations. They also dismissed proposals to relocate civilians to so-called 'humanitarian cities,' warning that such measures could undermine the prospects for a future Palestinian state—recognition of which has been signaled by countries including the UK, France, Canada, and Malta.
Shafaq News
4 hours ago
- Shafaq News
Over 2 million Iranian pilgrims enter Iraq for Arbaeen
Shafaq News – Tehran About 2.3 million Iranians have crossed into Iraq through six border points for the Arbaeen pilgrimage, an Iranian transport official said on Friday. Arbaeen, held 40 days after Ashura, marks the martyrdom of Hussein bin Ali, the third Imam in Shia Islam and grandson of the Prophet Mohammad. Millions are expected to gather in Karbala, many making the 73-kilometer walk from Najaf along routes lined with thousands of volunteer-run tents offering food, water, and medical care. Speaking in a press conference, Mansour Fakharan, Deputy Head of Development, Technology and Smart Transformation at the Road and Transport Organization, said the Mehran crossing accounted for 63% of pilgrim traffic—over 1.08 million people—an increase of 2% from last year. Traffic is forecast to peak in the coming days, with movement expected to rise 8% from 2024. Fakharan explained that 450 buses are currently operating at Mehran, with the fleet to expand to 650 within 12 hours. Smart transport data also show more than 4,000 private vehicles heading toward the crossing. For the first time, transport needs have been projected for 150 cities. More than 7,000 smart road systems are monitoring and managing flows, with real-time coordination among agencies to ensure a smooth and safe return from Iraq.
