Iraqi oil smuggled to Iran and Afghanistan, intelligence report finds
An intelligence report says smuggled Iraqi oil is ending up in Iran and Afghanistan, where small Iranian refineries mix and rebrand it to evade sanctions.
Key Takeaways
AIAn intelligence report has revealed that smuggled Iraqi oil is ultimately destined for Iran and Afghanistan, with small Iranian refineries mixing the oil and falsifying its origin to circumvent sanctions.
The report added that oil is being smuggled from Kirkuk and Sulaymaniyah into Iran through the Bashmakh and Parwezkhan border crossings.
The intelligence report also noted that small Iranian refineries are responsible for blending Iraqi oil and forging its origin.
This development poses a new challenge for Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi's government, which is seeking to assert state authority, disarm militias, and curb the power of Iran-aligned factions.