Iranian oil passed off as Iraqi: Salim Ahmed Said and Waleed al-Samarra'i networks (US designations, 2025)
OFAC designated on 3 July 2025 a network run by Iraqi-British businessman Salim Ahmed Said that, since at least 2020, sold Iranian oil falsely declared as Iraqi, blending it with Iraqi oil (including at a Khor al-Zubair terminal) and using ship-to-ship transfers; Treasury said he bribed Iraqi officials. On 2 September 2025 OFAC designated the network of Iraqi-Kittitian businessman Waleed al-Samarra'i for covertly blending Iranian with Iraqi oil, generating "around $300 million" a year for Iran and partners (conservative estimate). In May 2026 Treasury designated Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij for enabling Said (see Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij al-Bahadly: US designation for diverting oil to Iran-linked networks and Iraqi illicit-enrichment conviction (2026)).
- Period
- From 2020 to September 2025
- Sector
- Oil and gasCrude blending, forged origin documents, Khor al-Zubair terminal
- Kind of case
- Sanctions designation
- Jurisdiction
- More than one jurisdiction
How the money moved, according to the sources
Forged certificates of origin and blending in Iraqi ports/at sea let sanctioned Iranian crude be sold as Iraqi, requiring complicity of officials who issue documents and allocations.
What happened
US sanctions; no Iraqi prosecution of the network owners is on record; a deputy oil minister later convicted of illicit enrichment (2026).
Open questions
- Which Iraqi officials issued origin documents? Iraqi investigation into Khor al-Zubair terminal operations.
People and companies
| Name | Role in the case | Legal status | Detail | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salim Ahmed Said سليم أحمد سعيد | Iraqi-British businessman (VS Oil Terminal FZE / VS Tankers) | Under sanctions | OFAC, 3 July 2025, Executive Order 13902. No court charge is on record. | 25 September 2026 |
| Waleed Khaled Hameed al-Samarra'i وليد خالد حميد السامرائي | Iraqi-Kittitian businessman | Under sanctions | OFAC, 2 September 2025, Executive Order 13902. | 25 September 2026 |
| VS Oil Terminal FZE; VS Tankers FZE في إس أويل ترمنال؛ في إس تانكرز | Said network companies | Under sanctions | OFAC, 3 July 2025. | 25 September 2026 |
Sources
- US Department of the Treasury3 July 2025Sanctions noticeTier A
Treasury Targets Diverse Networks Facilitating Iranian Oil Trade (sb0188)
Our copy (downloads as a file)OriginalSHA-256 9a749d95df50runs a network of companies that have been selling Iranian oil falsely declared as Iraqi oil since at least 2020
- US Department of the Treasury2 September 2025Sanctions noticeTier A
Treasury Intensifies Pressure on Iranian Oil Smuggling ... (sb0233)
Our copy (downloads as a file)OriginalSHA-256 01e459ac03feThis network operates primarily by covertly blending Iranian oil with Iraqi oil, which is then marketed intentionally as solely of Iraqi origin