Baghdad: Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Al-Soudani has called for the formation of an investigation committee to look into allegations of corruption involving the mixing and smuggling of Iraqi crude oil and petroleum products. These activities are suspected to have taken place at Iraqi ports or within the country's territorial waters.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Al-Soudani's media office issued a statement emphasizing that there would be "no tolerance in this matter." The statement further noted that the committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the Council of Ministers, which will respond as deemed appropriate. The Prime Minister highlighted that such actions will be in accordance with the law to support the national economy and protect public funds.
The move comes in the wake of the US administration imposing sanctions on Iraqi businessmen accused of mixing Iranian oil with Iraqi oil and smuggling it as Iraqi oil to circumvent US sanctions. In response to these developments, the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company recently released a statement denying the existence of any smuggling operations, asserting that it maintains control over export operations at Iraqi ports and in territorial waters.