A complex network of fuel oil smuggling is being carried out through Iraq: this has been ensured since Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani took office in 2022, five sources told Reuters. Iran also receives currency from Iraq through exports and avoids US sanctions through its banking system.
Reports UNN with reference to Reuters.
A complex network of fuel oil smuggling brings Iran and its puppets 1 1 billion a year. The scheme operates through Iraq. Between 500,000 and 750,000 metric tons of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), including high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO), equivalent to 3.4 million to 5 million barrels of oil, are redirected from factories each month and mostly exported.
The corresponding scale of fuel oil smuggling was not previously reported. Reuters cites a number of sources who explain that the scheme has been changed since coming to power. Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who is currently the head of the Iraqi government. He seems to be involved in the illegal trade of many subjects.
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Of the two main routes that fuel oil is exported from Iraq, one involves mixing it with a similar product from Iran and issuing it as purely Iraqi, which helps Tehran avoid tough US sanctions on energy exports. This was stated to Reuters by five sources who declined to give their names.
Another involves exporting fuel oil, which was originally intended for a subsidy program, using fake documentation to hide its origin.
- Iran will benefit directly from the first path. Iranian fuel oil is usually sold at a discount due to sanctions, but it can sell it at a higher price if it is passed off as Iraqi fuel.
- The second route benefits the Iranian-backed militias in Iraq, who control the smuggling scheme.
Three sources estimated the profit of both routes based on assumptions about trading volumes and relative prices. Their estimates ranged from.1 billion a year to more than 3 3 billion.
addition
Iranian and Iraqi officials did not respond to detailed requests for comment on the findings in a Reuters article.