US targets second network blending Iranian oil and selling it as Iraqi

The US Treasury sanctioned shipping companies and vessels led by Iraqi-Kittitian businessman Waleed al-Samarra'i, saying the network covertly blends Iranian oil with Iraqi oil and markets it as purely Iraqi to evade sanctions. Treasury says the scheme earned hundreds of millions of dollars for Iran's government and for al-Samarra'i. Secretary Scott Bessent said Iraq must not become a safe haven for terrorists. The action followed similar sanctions on the network of Salim Ahmed Said in July.

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