World

Report: Iraq Helping Iran Get Around Economic Sanctions

Iraq has been helping Iran skirt economic sanctions put in place because of its nuclear program, using a “network of financial institutions and oil-smuggling operations” to keep money flowing, according to a report in the New York Times.

In some cases, Iraqi officials turn a blind eye to trade with Iran, while some in the government — including those close to Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki — actually profited from it, the Times reported. In one instance, Iraq permitted the Iranians to use Iraqi airspace to get supplies to Syria. After President Barack Obama called al-Maliki to complain, the Iranians flew a different route.

“Maliki’s government is right in the middle of this,” one former senior American intelligence official told the Times.

Obama acknowledged the problem last month when he announced he was “cutting off” Baghdad’s Elaf Islamic Bank from any business within the U.S. banking system, saying it had “facilitated transactions worth millions of dollars on behalf of Iranian banks that are subject to sanctions for their links to Iran’s illicit proliferation activities.”

And yet Iraqi banking experts told the Times the bank has still been allowed to participate in the Iraq Central Bank’s daily auction to sell Iraqi currency and buy American dollars — a key way for Iran to boost its reserve of dollars to pay for imports.

Officials said Iranian organizations “have gained effective control” over at least four Iraqi commercial banks, according to the Times, giving Tehran direct access to the international finance system — something supposedly blocked by sanctions. Only last week, Iraq’s deputy prime minister and top finance and trade ministry officials met with their Iranian counterparts in Tehran to discuss furthering their economic ties.

The activities between the two countries have prompted concern among some in Baghdad about the impact the huge dollar transfers could have on Iraq’s economic stability.

“We want to question the central bank and the banks that are involved,” Ali al-Sachri, a member of Parliament, told the Times.

Still, the Times reported the sanctions are nevertheless having a serious effect on Iran’s economy, with the country’s oil exports dropping 40 percent as a result of the last round.

Comments (73)

1 2
  • Tigress1
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:57pm

    To heck with them all! See if we ever help THEM get rid of their dictator again! Did they forget about all the mass graves?
    We shouldn’t spend another penny in these Muslim countries. They are robbing us blind with all the reconstruction, and robbing us blind with the oil. We need to drill our own oil and give them the bird!

    Report Post » Tigress1  
    • All Pro
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 2:09pm

      We overthrew their democratically elected government and installed Saddam Hussein! Stop helping!

      Report Post » All Pro  
    • Shasta
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 3:51pm

      Don‘t forget that up through 2010 Obama’s favorite corporation, ‘Pay Zero Taxes General Electric’, was selling their products regularly to Iran against the sanctions. They faced no push back from the OBlamo admin until it became a big story in the MSM.

      Report Post » Shasta  
    • KidCharlemagne
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 3:56pm

      Tigress1
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:57pm
      We shouldn’t spend another penny in these Muslim countries. They are robbing us blind with all the reconstruction, and robbing us blind with the oil. We need to drill our own oil and give them the bird!
      ====================================

      That’s really irrelevant though….

      And besides that, inflation would be ROARING through the U.S. right now, if it were not for the OPEC countries.

      Report Post »  
    • marybethelizabeth
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 4:18pm

      Tigress1. We installed a dictator in Iran in 1956.

      They got rid of that one themselves, and that has led to 35 years of war.

      So not being there to “help” didn’t work out so well either.

      Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
    • lukerw
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 8:23pm

      You cannot… Inject IQ… nor Fix STUPID!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • starman70
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 9:33pm

      How many lives wasted in Iraq? How many lives wasted in Afghanistan?

      The answer should have been STAY THE HELL OUT!! A good carpet bombing campaign would have been sufficient.

      Report Post »  
    • JRook
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 10:41am

      Another great example of the use of a trillion $$ for a useless war and a wonderful example of wasted American lives for virtually nothing. But no doubt the defense contractors and companies who ripped off the re-build funds did well.

      Report Post »  
  • TROLLMONGER
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:53pm

    Good job Bush. Way to get us into that mess in the first place. Idiot.

    Report Post » TROLLMONGER  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 4:09pm

      Bush and Cheney are war criminals and will be arrested if they set foot in some countries.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 6:17am

      Verceofreason
      Just maybe the same will happen here to obama and holder in Jan.2013

      Report Post »  
  • All Pro
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:39pm

    And once again Ron Paul was right! Progressive busy bodies need to learn to mind their own business. EVERYONE in the middle east hates us except for Israel. Israel is laughing at us. We give them huge amounts of foreign aid, supply their military and fight their wars and soon we will be up against China and Russia too. The only way the US can take on the entire world is to nuke everyone. Progressive conservative fascists, progressive liberal, communists need to be rounded up and shipped off to China.

    Report Post » All Pro  
  • thereaper
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:14pm

    This is the same old story over again,help us,help us,so we do,and what happens? They stab us in the back,just like so many others have done! All they want is for some one else to do thier dirty work.Yes,we came,we saw,we helped,we rebuilt,we died,and for what? Nothing! Our brave men and women gave thier all so these people could have a chance to prosper,and be free for the first time in thier lives.The Middle East has always been this way and always will be.All these people know how to do is take,then complain because you didn’t give them more free stuff. Yes we come, we die,they take,stab us in the back and say we are the evil ones. But this is what America does even if they stab us in the back,we give them a chance for freedom,if they can‘t or won’t fight to keep it then they deserve what ever they get.But the next time they cry wolf,chances are we won’t hear thier crys for help! Even America,as good as she is,will only take so much,then your on your own!

    Report Post »  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 4:10pm

      We helped no one.
      We DESTROYED Iraq.
      They NEVER ASKED for our help. Get your facts straight.
      For the first time in US history –
      WE INVADED A COUNTRY THAT WAS OF NO THREAT TO US.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • Classical Liberal
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 3:40pm

      @reason?, so Vietnam was a threat to the US? Afghanistan?

      No it was not the first time. And unless serious change happens in the hearts and minds of the american people, it will not be the last. That goes for many of the posters here on the Blaze as well. You are mostly good people, but you have been lead astray by progressives, including Glenn beck and the blaze.

      Report Post » Classical Liberal  
  • GoodStuff
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:14pm

    This is what happens when you fight a politically correct war.

    Report Post »  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:28pm

      Its the only kind of war we know how to fight these days. Progressivism has taken hold of the military and pentagon – but yet republicans still put their trust in the fruits of war

      Report Post » soybomb315_II  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 4:11pm

      How was this a politically correct war.
      What am I missing?
      WE invaded a country.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • kevinbogard
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 11:03am

      Verceo……

      You make me laugh. Go finish watching ABC news.,…

      Report Post » kevinbogard  
  • IMCHRISTIAN
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:04pm

    I hope the President has nightmares leaving the few servicemen and women we have in war zones. God Bless all.

    Report Post »  
    • marybethelizabeth
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 4:22pm

      How scary, violent, or unsettling can these nightmares be for you to still call yourself a Christian?
      Is a mild headache acceptable harm?
      Where’s the line that crosses into Unchristian wishes?

      Report Post » marybethelizabeth  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:52pm

    The closer ties between Iran and Iraq due to US involvement were reported a month ago. Here is a more in-depth analysis…I know it’s huffpo, but whatever

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/14/iraq-iran-ties_n_1664728.html

    Report Post » soybomb315_II  
  • progressiveslayer
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:51pm

    See what happens when we nation build,the Iraquis are so grateful we helped them they’re helping the Iranians. The best thing that could have happened was for the Iran and Iraq war to go on forever,let them kill each other for years.

    Report Post » progressiveslayer  
  • jackact
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:41pm

    You mean the Muslim Brotherhood in Iran, with loyal assistance from Russia and China, is assisting Iran in avoiding sanctions.
    And Obama leads ‘from behind’…..the White House water cooler.
    Arab Spring never sprung did it?
    Jimmy Carter and Barack Hussein Obama have done more to create instability in the middle east than any forc on his planet.
    All in the name of one world socialist global government.
    Time to stop this in its tracks.
    It is not just, “the economy stupid”.
    World instability may enrich a handful of the elite but if the caliphate is accomplished nations will fall.
    and the world economy will have no value when 1st century savages have control over…….OIL & NUCLEAR WEAPONS.
    They evidently do not teach this in the Ivy Leagues?

    Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:41pm

    I wouldn‘t be suprised if Obama’s pimp Soros isn’t helping also.

    Report Post »  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 4:14pm

      Soros is a FOX/Beck creation.
      Y’all need VISIBLE enemies.

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on August 20, 2012 at 6:15am

      Verceofreason
      Are you one of Soros’s 3rd rated whores also

      Report Post »  
  • LeadNotFollow
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:40pm

    …
    Evil radical Muslims helping evil radical Muslims. No surprise here.

    Report Post »  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:47pm

      No, it is sunni versus shite. They are enemies. Unfortunately, because we are so heavily involved – we have united them against a common enemy (us).

      Report Post » soybomb315_II  
  • soybomb315_II
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:39pm

    Ever since we invaded Iraq, their relations with Iran have never been stronger. That is an example of unintended consequences

    Report Post » soybomb315_II  
  • Viper1
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:38pm

    How many youngAmericans left part or whole body parts in that God forsaken desert? If the deserts were turned into shinny glass parking lots, it would take a lot less life and a lot less money. Besides that if the point was made in one place we wouldn’t have to do it again.

    Report Post »  
  • KidCharlemagne
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:20pm

    South Korea too:

    ——————————————–
    Iran Barters and Bargains to Help Oil Sales
    August 7, 2012, 3:33 p.m. ET
    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444246904577574822848962782.html

    If I had to guess, then I would say that this is the end of the line for ‘cheap’ gas here in the U.S. We’ll probably never see gas as affordable as it is now ever again……either that or we will see a rather dramatic rise in interest rates pretty soon.

    Report Post »  
  • 22AUTOMATIC
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:15pm

    Finally Blaze! I sent this tip to you two months ago!

    Not only Iraq but China and Saudi Arabia are helping Iran get by sanctions. There’s huge trades going on for oil, gold, and precious metals. This would happen anyway because on September 21st the Global Reset will take place and the “Petro Dollar” will no longer be the world’s reserve currency. The World Financial Banking System already has most of the details ironed out to put the current world banking system into what they call a “coma” and to launch a new system off of the Petro Dollar that will require countries to put up gold, precious metals, and natural resources as collateral from that point forward. This is huge guys and we have the wrong leadership in place for this to happen. President Obama doesn’t mind if “Capitalism” falls after the switch off of the Petro Dollar because he wants to “level America’s prosperity.” (See Obama 2016 The Movie) See the link below: First watch James Dale Davidson‘s video that will explain much of what I’m talking about (and scare the life out of you). Next, Google search “Gulf of Mexico Russian Sub” and “Canada Russian Activity Minnesota” (getting ready for riots after the Petro Dollar collapse to possibly strike us).

    http://www.strategicinvestment.com/pages/svs/capitalism_video_update.php?pub=NDPCAP&code=ENDPN600&o=733649&s=738566&u=56258469&l=449610&r=Milo

    Report Post » 22AUTOMATIC  
    • KidCharlemagne
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:18pm

      Ron Paul has been telling everyone for quite awhile now that the next Nixon Shock is fast approaching:

      Ron Paul (February 15, 2006)

      Something remarkably similar happened during the late 60′s/early 70′s too; the rest of the world got tired of financing the Welfare/Warfare state….so they simply took the credit card away: Nixon Shock

      Report Post »  
    • louise
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 1:46pm

      22automatic…
      That would make Iraq a very very wealthy nation since it is sitting on an ocean of oil and other natural resources. Their dinar has been set to revalue for a long time, but it is pegged to the USD, and there is still political turmoil in that country. Some say it will be the strongest currency in the ME. Interesting isn’t it…..since it is the original site of ancient Babylon?

      Report Post » louise  
    • 22AUTOMATIC
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 2:21pm

      @louise

      Yes, the fact that it is Babylon is very interesting. The RV of the Iraqi Dinar is going to happen. It’s not a question of “if” but “when.” When the global reset happens our investment in Iraq will be the only thing that can save us. The Dinar is currently 1/10 of one penny (USD). That means if you bought a thousand in dinars tomorrow, when the RV goes to an estimated $3.50, you’d have 3.5 million overnight. This is what the prophets mentioned in regards to “the great wealth transfer of the last days.” Did you know Obama is paying part of our debt interest off in Dinars right now? He didn’t want the RV to happen because Bush will get praise for it but China has now forced his hand (borrower is slave to the debtor). When the RV happens you’ll be shocked at what politicans have their hands in the cookie jar. All heads of banks are investing in the Dinar but telling their employees it’s a “waste of time” so they don’t invest. Why? Because after the RV all bank employees would quit and nobody would be left to work as tellers etc. The RV also adds a weird twist to the Presidential election.

      @KidCharlemagne

      Ron Paul is dead on about that subject. He’s an oak in the land of twigs. He’s wrong about Radical Islam though. They are 21st Century Nazis. Also, I wish he hadn’t gone on the Tonight Show saying Santorum & Bachmann “don’t like muslims and gay people.” I sighed and shook my head that he’d go all Cass Sunstein & ACLU on h

      Report Post » 22AUTOMATIC  
  • Individualism
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:06pm

    Iraq has the right to trade with who they want and so does Iran. Sanctions are an act of war.

    Report Post » Individualism  
    • Individualism
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:30pm

      I live in America and support all nations national sovereignty and don’t want our troops dying for another other country but America. I want Americans tax payer money to only be spent on the tax payers of this country.

      Report Post » Individualism  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:41pm

      Yup! It is most certainly an act of war

      Imagine if another country decided to block all oil imports to country – thereby crippling our economy…Does anyone think that is not an act of war?

      Report Post » soybomb315_II  
    • meritocracy
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 5:24pm

      If you have the right to trade with a country, Don’t you have the right NOT to trade with them? How are sanctions and act of war?

      Report Post » meritocracy  
    • soybomb315_II
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 10:13pm

      Sure – every country is sovereign and makes those decisions regarding THEMSELVES. But what is it when another country dis-allows trade with someone in order to cripple their economy?

      If i decide not to eat a hamburger – that is my decision. But if someone else tells me i cannot eat a hamburger – that is tyranny. I dont know why you are having trouble understanding this

      Report Post » soybomb315_II  
  • dissentnow
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:57am

    So, Iraq in cahoots with Iran, huh? Were the 5,000 dead Americans worth it? Or how about the countless amount of money we spent pushing the war effort and bribing tribal leaders?

    Report Post »  
    • pissantno.10
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 2:26pm

      well is it the iraq people or there goverment. we have the same problem the goverment ruiling aginst the will of the people

      Report Post »  
    • Verceofreason
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 4:14pm

      No one ever accused Geo W Bush of being smart.
      We invade a country and think we are going to welcomed with open arms??

      Report Post » Verceofreason  
  • Sirfoldallot
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:56am

    Never did agree with that Bush move, unstable the region & now we r looking @ a big oooppppsssss.

    Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
  • www.TopTheNews.com
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:44am

    The military industrial complex will never leave the middle east.

    This is all window dressing to keep us there…Speaking of that, is everyone following the Brandon Raub case?

    Report Post » www.TopTheNews.com  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 12:18pm

      The military industrial complex will never leave the middle east.
      ***
      You are so full of it.

      The events that led to us being there are known.

      -Sadam’s invasion of Kuwait.
      - Few U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia that got Usama upset.
      - 911
      - Broken Armistice agreement (The WMDs are in Syria).

      Judging form the # of military bases which is not brought up any more, the size of the navy (smallest since WWI), the size of the air Force, You can;t prove it when we look at all the numbers.

      Report Post »  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:38am

    Get our remaining people out of there & let Al Qaeda & the Shia go at it. We bled for them & they repay us with hate & back stabbing.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:35am

    What else could be expected; Maliki is a spokesman for Iran at the base. So Iraq is their puppet state in the area.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:34am

    I’ve said it many times…within 10 years of the US leaving Iraq…it will go right back to being a dictatorship filled with hate for Israel and the west.

    It is all they know.

    Everything between now and then will be a show in order to milk the US for all it can get.

    So is it any surprise they are already dealing under the table?

    Iraq‘s downfall came from Saddaam’s “disinformation” campaign of purposely lying about all the WMD’s he had (yes, he did have some old ones still) in order to make himself scary to the west and the rest of his own region…then, come 9/11, his lies bit him back hard and the USA struck.

    In a perfect world, we would not have fallen for it and we would have left the entire region to rot, and destroy themselves and their own citizens.

    Israel would have been our only concern…and money long gone…would not be the cause of our wavering now.

    Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:43am

      With help from the UN

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
    • Walkabout
      Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:45am

      We had a chance to make it right. But we had a monkey on our back. That was the left. the left encouraged the enemy to say in the fight. We could have built more roads, schools. We could have built up the Democratic institutions. We could have got people use to & enjoying Democracy.

      But the excrement left encourage Iran & Al Qaeda to stay in the game. But the excrement left encouraged our enemies if they could just kill a few more soldiers, blow up a few more Iraqi civilians in market places, then we would leave. It worked. But the excrement left should take a bow.

      The excrement left told our enemies via press conference & articles in the mass media that if Al Qaeda reached a certain threshold in American war casualties or if the war casualties did not decrease over time, that the left could use that to win political victory at home & withdraw American troops.

      Islamicists keep bombing markets & hospitals. Yet the left blames America for the majority if not all civilian casualties.

      Report Post »  
  • woodyee
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:23am

    Is anyone surprised?

    Gaybama turned his back on them…what are they supposed to do – whistle in the dark and ignore the 800lb. gorilla in the room?
    If you think Iraq helping Iran is funny, wait until Afghanistan gets strong enough to play…

    Report Post » woodyee  
  • Want our country back
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:19am

    Shame on Iraq… they want to stay in the stone age….. let them…… God Bless the USA

    Report Post » Want our country back  
  • JACKTHETOAD
    Posted on August 19, 2012 at 11:14am

    Saddam put all his chens and bios in the Bank Of Syria. They’re thinking about making a withdrawal together. The free world is very INTERESTed in what happens. They better watch out the bank don’t go belly-up.

    Report Post » JACKTHETOAD  
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