The Iraqi Oil Ministry has dismissed accusations from several U.S. Congress members that Iraq is smuggling and “illegally” selling oil to Iran to help it avoid U.S. sanctions.
The ministry also called the claims “fabrications that have no basis.”
This response followed a letter reportedly sent by five U.S. Congress members to President Joe Biden earlier on Wednesday, accusing several Iraqi parties and officials.
According to the letter, the Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, who plans to visit the United States soon for gas investment is aiding Iran’s sanctions evasion by smuggling oil.
The lawmakers also called on Biden to bar Ghani from visiting Washington as scheduled until the relevant investigation is complete.
The Iraqi Oil Ministry expressed “astonishment and condemnation” of the letter’s content.
It emphasised that its oil activities were monitored by international inspectors and Iraqi waters were strictly controlled by the country’s naval forces.