Baghdad, Iraq – The Iraqi government has received indirect messages urging it to cut financial allocations to senior leaders of armed factions linked to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), according to government sources. The US, using intermediaries, warned Iraq against funding investment and cooperative projects associated with PMF leaders, hinting at possible US Treasury sanctions on these figures and their affiliated institutions.
A Central Bank of Iraq source distanced the institution from PMF salaries, emphasizing its role in handling state transactions based on legitimate records. Meanwhile, Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to prevent impending US sanctions that could target PMF-affiliated political figures and businesses.
The US is reportedly planning to blacklist three financial and three transportation companies tied to Iraq’s oil fleet to curb currency and oil smuggling to Iran. Additionally, five Iraqi banks have already been sanctioned for illicit financial activities, and a ban on using Iraqi electronic payment cards abroad is expected to be implemented to prevent money laundering.
