The United States imposed sanctions on Iraq's deputy oil minister, Ali Maarij al-Bahadli, on Thursday, accusing him of exploiting his position to support Iran's regime and its allied militias. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said al-Bahadli was involved in a scheme to mix Iranian oil with Iraqi crude and sell it illicitly to bypass U.S. sanctions.

Washington alleges the transactions were designed to generate revenue for Iran, which faces strict U.S. oil export bans. The sanctions target al-Bahadli personally, freezing any U.S.-based assets and prohibiting American entities from dealing with him. The U.S. says the move is part of a broader effort to curb Iran's influence in Iraq's energy sector.

The U.S. has increased pressure on Iraq following more than 600 attacks by Iran-aligned armed groups on American bases in Iraq since late February, when the U.S. and Israel conducted strikes inside Iran. A recent ceasefire has paused the attacks, but U.S. officials insist Baghdad must take concrete steps to dismantle or disavow these groups. Washington has also suspended dollar shipments to Iraq via the New York Federal Reserve as leverage.

The U.S. has welcomed the selection of Ali al-Zaidi as Iraq's prime minister-designate, following a leadership decision influenced by American diplomatic pressure. Officials said they expect al-Zaidi's government to comply with U.S. demands on security and energy policies. The court will resume hearing on Tuesday.