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US threatens to starve Iraq of its oil dollars over Iranian influence: Reuters
The U.S. threatens to suspend Iraq's oil revenue transfers worth billions if Iran-backed groups join the government to limit Tehran's influence, officials said.
- On Jan 23, Washington threatened sanctions on Iraq and possible suspension of oil revenue transfers held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York if Iran-backed armed groups join the next government.
- Because Iran has used Baghdad's banking system, successive U.S. administrations have sought to choke the dollar stream, citing Iraq's November elections where Iran-backed militias gained ground.
- Joshua Harris repeatedly conveyed the message over two months to Iraqi officials, influential Shi'ite leaders, and some heads of Iran-linked groups via intermediaries, focusing on 58 members of parliament the U.S. views as linked to Iran.
- The formation of a new cabinet could still be months away as Washington opposed Adnan Faihan's election as first deputy speaker, while AAH leader Qais al-Khazali signalled willingness to remove him.
- A suspension would be unprecedented, as Washington has never curtailed Iraq's oil revenues sent via the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, despite AAH's ties to a network generating over one billion dollars annually and sanctions on its leader Qais al-Khazali.
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US threatens to block Iraq’s oil revenues if pro-Iran parties join new government: Report
US reportedly warns Iraq that it could block the country’s access to its oil revenues held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York if political factions linked to Iran are included in the next Iraqi government.
·Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic of
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US action is the most significant example, so far, of President Donald Trump's campaign to contain the influence of Iran-related groups in Iraq.
·Brazil
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Total News Sources22
Leaning Left4Leaning Right7Center2Last UpdatedBias Distribution54% Right
Bias Distribution
- 54% of the sources lean Right
54% Right
L 31%
15%
R 54%
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