US Treasury sanctions target Iraq’s deputy oil minister for allegedly aiding Iran in bypassing restrictions on oil exports. The United States Treasury Department has sanctioned Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Oil, Ali Maarij al-Bahadly, for allegedly helping Iran to sell its oil. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said it was taking action to increase economic pressure on Iran as negotiations for a deal between Washington and Tehran are showing timid signs of progress, with Iranian officials saying they are reviewing a US proposal. Recommended Stories list of 3 items list 1 of 3 Trump’s ‘Project Freedom’: Can US navy ‘guide’ stuck ships out of Hormuz? list 2 of 3 Does Trump hold ‘all the cards’ against Iran in the Strait of Hormuz? list 3 of 3 Is Iran’s oil storage nearly full – and will it have to cut production? end of list In a statement on Thursday, OFAC said it was also designating three leaders of the Iran-backed armed groups, Kata’ib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS) and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (AAH).…