A former Iraqi finance minister, Taif Sami Mohammed al-Shakarchi, who was recognized with an "International Women of Courage Award" in March 2022 during an event that included then-first lady Jill Biden and then-Secretary of State Tony Blinken, has been placed on the FBI terrorist watchlist. The award ceremony, hosted by the State Department, celebrated women who demonstrated "exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in advocating for peace, justice, human rights, gender equity and equality, and the empowerment of women and girls."
Al-Shakarchi, who served as Iraq's finance minister from October 2022 until last month, is now prohibited from entering the United States due to security concerns. Her visa has also been canceled, and she is no longer in the U.S., according to the State Department.
The Biden State Department had previously promoted al-Shakarchi, referring to her as Iraq's "Iron Woman" for her role in preventing budget corruption. However, reports have emerged that she is now on a judicial wanted list as authorities expand a corruption probe.
Representatives Joe Wilson (R-SC) and Greg Steube (R-Fla.) had previously accused al-Shakarchi of being a "key enabler of terrorist funding in Iraq." In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, they alleged that prominent Iraqis and Iraqi banks were "launder[ing] US dollars on behalf of Iran and its proxies."
Al-Shakarchi's alleged links to Iran and Iran-backed militias in Iraq have been previously reported. The State Department's action against her comes the same week the Treasury Department announced "Operation Economic Outcast," an initiative aimed at severing Iran's financial ties with other nations.