Iraq arrests Oil Ministry director general in corruption probe

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraqi security forces detained Oil Ministry Director General Hussein Talib on July 8 as part of a wide-ranging corruption investigation into alleged irregularities in public tenders and financial procedures at the ministry, officials said. Authorities said the case has been expanded, with statements taken from multiple public officials across different administrative levels. Talib is to be questioned during his detention, with a formal statement on the charges expected once the investigation is complete. Ministry sources said the probe will not affect day-to-day operations and that oil production and exports are continuing as planned. The government has intensified scrutiny of senior bureaucrats in recent months as part of efforts to tighten oversight of public resources. The case is among several corruption proceedings drawing close public attention in Baghdad. No further details on the allegations or the timeline of the investigation were immediately available.