The US added Iraqi airline Fly Baghdad and its CEO to its sanctions list for allegedly aiding Iran’s military operations.
Additionally, the U.S. announced a fifth series of sanctions on Hamas, citing misuse of cryptocurrency since the October 7 attack on Israel.
These sanctions are a response to ongoing events in the Middle East, including the Israeli air campaign in Gaza, which the Gaza Strip Health Ministry reports has resulted in 25,000 Palestinian fatalities, and the consistent attacks by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria on bases housing U.S. forces.
The U.S. Treasury Department accused Fly Baghdad and its CEO, Basheer Abdulkadhim Alwan al-Shabbani, of supporting Iran’s military and proxy groups in Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
Treasury Undersecretary Brian E. Nelson stated that Iran and its proxies exploit regional economies and legitimate businesses to fund and facilitate their attacks, asserting that the U.S. will persist in thwarting Iran’s destabilizing actions in the region.
These sanctions prohibit access to U.S. properties and bank accounts and bar American dealings with the identified individuals and entities. Fly Baghdad, refuting the allegations, announced intentions to seek legal redress, arguing that the sanctions are based on erroneous information.
Furthermore, the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control identified three individuals and a business associated with Kataib Hezbollah, an Iran-aligned militia in Iraq, for moving and laundering funds for the organization.
Since the Israel-Hamas conflict’s escalation, an Iranian-backed militia coalition in Iraq, known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, has conducted attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria.
This group claims these strikes are in retaliation for U.S. support of Israel in the Gaza conflict and aims to expel U.S. troops from Iraq.
