The outgoing US administration
blacklisted a second senior leader in Iraq’s Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) in the space of a week. The PMF is an umbrella group composed mainly of Iran-backed Shiite militias and the move is intended to increase pressure on Iran’s proxies in the country.
On Wednesday, the US State Department listed
Abd Al Aziz Malluh Mirjirash, the PMF chief of staff and Iran-allied militia leader, as a “specially designated global terrorist” for his role in undermining security in Iraq. Mirjirash goes by two nom de guerres, Abu Fadak and sometimes, Al Khal, or “the uncle”. He is also known by his tribal name Al Muhammadawi.
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The Trump administration on Wednesday sanctioned two organisations controlled by Iran s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control announced the sanctions on two Iranian organisations, along with their leaders and subsidiaries, believed to be controlled by Mr Khamenei.
The organisations are the Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order (Eiko), and Astan Quds Razavi (AQR).
It is said the two foundations “control large swaths of the Iranian economy, including assets expropriated from political dissidents and religious minorities, to the benefit of supreme leader Ali Khamenei and senior Iranian government officials.”
“These institutions enable Iran’s elite to sustain a corrupt system of ownership over large parts of Iran’s economy,” US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said.