The Treasury Department said Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister Ali Maarij Al-Bahadly abused his official position to enable the sale of oil for the benefit of the Iranian government and affiliated militias in Iraq.In a statement, Treasury accused Al-Bahadly of helping divert Iraqi oil revenues to support “the Iranian regime and its proxy militias in Iraq.” Iraq’s oil ministry and the deputy minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The sanctions were announced as Washington and Iran moved closer to a temporary arrangement aimed at halting hostilities, with Tehran reviewing a proposal that could pause the conflict while leaving major disputes unresolved.The U.S. Treasury also imposed sanctions on three senior figures associated with the Iran-backed militias Kata’ib Sayyid Al-Shuhada and Asa’ib Ahl Al-Haq.

“Treasury will not stand idly by as Iran’s military exploits Iraqi oil to fund terrorism against the United States and our partners,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement.The sanctions freeze any assets held in the United States by those designated and generally prohibit U.S. individuals and companies from conducting business with them.

The measures follow remarks made in March by Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani, who said Iranian oil tankers intercepted by U.S. forces in the Gulf had been using forged Iraqi documents. Tehran denied the allegation.

The latest sanctions highlight Washington’s continued efforts to disrupt Iran’s regional financial and logistical networks while simultaneously pursuing diplomatic contacts aimed at containing wider conflict across the Middle East.

Yet the road ahead is perilous. As Dr. Aluwaisheg warns, if nuclear diplomacy fails, the region could face a far darker scenario: a nuclear arms race.

The recent ceasefire between Iran and Israel, brokered under the decisive leadership of US President Donald Trump, marks a critical pause in a dangerous regional escalation. While missiles have stopped flying—for now—the deeper geopolitical implications are far from settled. As Dr. Abdel Aziz Aluwaisheg, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Negotiation, noted in his recent analysis for Arab News, the fragile truce carries high stakes—not just for Iran and Israel, but for the entire Middle East.

Though writing in a personal capacity, Dr. Aluwaisheg’s insights reflect the strategic calculations within GCC circles, especially following Iran’s unprecedented missile attack on Qatar—an act that sent shockwaves through a region already teetering on the edge of conflict.

Qatar: From Mediator to Target

On June 24, GCC foreign ministers met in Doha to express solidarity with Qatar after it became the unlikely target of Iranian missile fire. The attack caused no casualties or major damage, but its symbolism was alarming: Iran had, for the first time in recent memory, directly attacked Qatari soil.

What made the move even more perplexing is Qatar’s longstanding dual-track diplomacy. As Dr. Aluwaisheg observed, Doha has “cultivated a close rapport with Tehran while maintaining good relations with the US,” which operates a major military base in the country. Qatar has often positioned itself as a neutral mediator between Iran and the West. Iran’s decision to attack such a partner was seen by GCC officials as a shocking betrayal of regional norms.

The GCC ministers swiftly condemned the strike, invoking the 2000 Mutual Defense Treaty, which binds all six member states to respond collectively to external aggression. “An attack on one state,” the Council reaffirmed, “is an attack on all.”

Qatar’s ability to intercept most of the incoming missiles was praised, but the attack raised troubling questions: Was it a warning shot from Tehran to discourage further mediation? Or a miscalculation that could unravel years of GCC-Iran engagement?

Trump’s Diplomatic Gamble Pays—For Now

One of the most striking elements of Dr. Aluwaisheg’s commentary is his acknowledgment of President Donald Trump’s role in halting the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict. While Trump is rarely praised for subtle diplomacy, this time, even GCC ministers applauded his intervention.

“Trump gave a rare public rebuke of Israel’s prime minister after Netanyahu violated the ceasefire,” Dr. Aluwaisheg wrote, calling the move both decisive and surprising.

With help from his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, Trump managed to steer both parties toward a temporary truce, creating an opening to resume nuclear negotiations. Talks that had been hosted in Oman were abruptly derailed following Israel’s June 13 strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure.

Now, with the dust settling—at least temporarily—the United States has a chance to re-engage Tehran diplomatically. “The cessation of hostilities,” Aluwaisheg emphasized, “provides an opportunity to return to the nuclear talks.”

A Nuclear Domino Effect?

Yet the road ahead is perilous. As Dr. Aluwaisheg warns, if nuclear diplomacy fails, the region could face a far darker scenario: a nuclear arms race.

“If Iran decides to go nuclear militarily,” he wrote, “other states in the region could do the same,” thereby ushering in a destabilizing cascade of proliferation. Such a development would not only isolate Iran—comparable to North Korea’s pariah status—but also divert much-needed resources away from its struggling population. The country would face prolonged sanctions, making economic reintegration nearly impossible.

Equally worrying is the potential collapse of regional diplomatic efforts. Proposals for GCC-Iran integration, built over years of quiet talks and confidence-building, would likely be shelved indefinitely.

Fragile Truce, Heavy Stakes

Dr. Aluwaisheg describes the current ceasefire as “informal and fragile,” a phrase that encapsulates the precarious balance in the region. With mutual mistrust running deep and hardliners on all sides eager to sabotage progress, even the slightest miscalculation could reignite hostilities.

It is precisely this fragility that makes diplomatic momentum so vital. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) June 12 finding that Iran was in non-compliance with its nuclear obligations adds an important layer of accountability. Unlike political accusations, these are verified facts from a respected UN agency. They provide a solid foundation for future negotiations—if all parties are willing.

Gaza: The Other War

While attention was fixated on Tehran and Tel Aviv, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza has worsened. The GCC foreign ministers, building on the momentum of the Iran-Israel ceasefire, called on President Trump to use his influence to bring an end to the war on Gaza.

Dr. Aluwaisheg did not mince words. “The US should not support Israel’s sadistic policies of siege, starvation, and mass executions of helpless Gazans,” he wrote, describing the ongoing crisis as a “deliberate extermination of innocent women and children.”

The call is clear: the same urgency that was applied to defusing the Iran-Israel conflict must now be redirected to Gaza, where daily suffering continues unabated.

Securing the Region’s Lifelines

Beyond human costs, the strategic implications of prolonged instability are immense. The GCC ministers emphasized the need to secure maritime passageways and energy routes, as the Gulf supplies nearly 50% of the world’s oil and 25% of its gas. Any disruption could trigger global economic tremors.

For this reason, the GCC’s alignment with US-led diplomacy is not just about political posturing—it’s about survival. Regional stability underpins global energy security and economic equilibrium.

A Nobel Moment or a Missed Opportunity?

As the region stands at a crossroads, the path forward hinges on diplomatic resolve. The Trump administration, buoyed by its success in halting the Iran-Israel war, has an opportunity to lead broader peace efforts. The question is whether it can—or will—seize it.

As Dr. Aluwaisheg concludes, the chance to prevent catastrophe and pursue diplomacy must not be squandered. “He [Trump] will undoubtedly edge closer to his goal of getting a Nobel Peace Prize,” he notes, “if he and his team continue on this path.”

Whether history remembers this moment as the start of a new diplomatic era or a brief lull before greater conflict depends on what happens next. The stakes could not be higher.

The high-level statement came just days after Israel launched preemptive strikes on Iranian military installations—an operation it claims was aimed at preventing Tehran from advancing toward nuclear weapon capabilities. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks, triggering a new phase in the already volatile regional dynamics since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023.

“We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel,” read the G7 communiqué, which also emphasized that “Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror.”

The leaders of the G7—comprising the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Canada, and Japan—also reiterated a critical demand: “Iran can never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon.”

Rising Death Toll and Escalation Fears

The conflict has already resulted in tragic civilian casualties. Iranian sources report over 220 deaths, including women and children, while Israel has confirmed 24 civilian fatalities. Both sides have accused each other of targeting civilian infrastructure, heightening fears of further escalation.

On Monday, an Israeli airstrike reportedly targeted Iran’s state broadcaster headquarters, intensifying panic among Tehran’s residents. U.S. President Donald Trump, attending the G7 summit in Canada, abruptly announced his early departure to return to Washington, citing the urgent regional developments.

In a social media post, Trump warned: “Everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”

U.S. Stance: Awareness Without Involvement?

While the United States has publicly distanced itself from direct involvement in the Israeli operations, Trump admitted that Washington had prior knowledge of the strikes and called them “excellent.” Nevertheless, the U.S. has issued stern warnings to Iran not to retaliate against American personnel or assets stationed in the region.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a series of calls with foreign counterparts in Europe to coordinate diplomatic responses and assess regional fallout. Despite the heated tensions, Washington maintains that it still seeks a nuclear agreement with Iran—underscoring the fragile balance between deterrence and diplomacy.

Nuclear Standoff: Two Realities

Iran has long denied ambitions to build nuclear weapons, insisting its nuclear activities are for peaceful energy purposes as permitted under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to which it is a signatory.

In contrast, Israel—while not a party to the NPT—is widely believed to possess an undeclared nuclear arsenal. It neither confirms nor denies this status, maintaining a policy of strategic ambiguity.

Call for Regional De-escalation and Gaza Ceasefire

Beyond the immediate hostilities between Israel and Iran, the G7 emphasized the need for a broader ceasefire across the Middle East, including Gaza.

“We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” the statement read.

The G7 also expressed readiness to collaborate in ensuring energy market stability, amid concerns that the conflict could disrupt global oil supply lines and inflate prices.

As tensions remain high, international observers warn that without swift and strategic diplomacy, the Israel-Iran showdown could spiral into a multi-front conflict with far-reaching global implications.