American Blacklists Pursue Faction Leaders

Washington issued a harsh sanctions package targeting seven senior leaders of Tehran-affiliated armed Iraqi factions today. The decision includes immediate freezing of all financial assets and a comprehensive travel and banking ban. The US Treasury justified the decision by these leaders standing behind terrorist attacks targeting bases and missions. The targeted factions considered the sanctions a badge of honor and proof of their resistance effectiveness. The Iraqi Central Bank issued immediate circulars to banks to fully comply to avoid devastating sanctions. The American step is a warning message to the Iraqi government to restrict weapons to the state. Expectations of factions organizing angry marches in Baghdad condemning the decision and demonstrating their combined strength. These sanctions further complicate the government formation task amid rigid political positions and continuous external interventions. Observers believe Washington is proceeding with a strategy of clipping Iran's nails in the region firmly. Iraqi national security is directly threatened as a result of these measures raising internal congestion levels.