In a strong rebuke, the Iraqi Oil Ministry has dismissed accusations from US Congress members that Iraq is involved in smuggling oil to Iran, labeling the claims as “fabrications that have no basis.”
The allegations, which were made in a letter to President Joe Biden, suggested that Iraqi officials, including Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, were aiding Iran in evading US sanctions. However, the Iraqi Oil Ministry has vehemently denied these charges, emphasizing that its oil activities are transparent and closely monitored by international inspectors.
The controversy began when five US Congress members French Hill, Joe Wilson, Michael Waltz, Michael V. Lawler, and Kevin Hern sent a letter to President Biden, accusing Iraqi entities of exploiting the country’s oil industry to benefit Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps and its treasury. The lawmakers alleged that Iraqi oil was being smuggled to Iran and urged the Biden administration to impose sanctions on those involved.
In response, the Iraqi Oil Ministry expressed “astonishment and condemnation” of the letter’s content, stating that the accusations were unfounded and lacked concrete evidence. The ministry highlighted that Iraq’s oil exports are conducted through official channels, closely monitored by international auditing firms, and that all relevant data is regularly published through official channels.
Read also: Iraq files complaints against Iran at UN Security Council
The Iraqi Oil Ministry also emphasized its commitment to maintaining transparency in oil production and exportation, noting that it only engages with reputable global companies, including American firms, under contracts that follow international transparency and legal guidelines. The ministry challenged the Congress members to present concrete evidence to support their allegations.
The dispute has also raised concerns about an upcoming visit by Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani to the United States, with the lawmakers requesting that his visit be barred until the allegations are investigated and findings are presented to Congress.
This development underscores the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran over sanctions evasion and the complex web of international oil trade, where multiple countries and entities are involved in navigating strict sanctions regimes.
Credible News.ng
