BAGHDAD, Sept. 8 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Oil Ministry on Sunday dismissed accusations from several U.S. Congress members that Iraq is smuggling and "illegally" selling oil to Iran to help it avoid U.S. sanctions, calling the claims "fabrications that have no basis."

This response followed a letter reportedly sent by five U.S. Congress members to President Joe Biden on Wednesday, accusing several Iraqi parties and officials, including Iraqi Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, who plans to visit the United States soon for gas investment, of aiding Iran's sanctions evasion by smuggling oil.

The lawmakers also called on Biden to bar Ghani from visiting Washington as scheduled until the relevant investigation is complete.

The Iraqi Oil Ministry expressed "astonishment and condemnation" of the letter's content. It emphasized that its oil activities are monitored by international inspectors and that Iraqi waters are strictly controlled by the country's naval forces. Enditem

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