( MEBG) - U.S. officials say that in therecent months Iraq has been using an obscure Iranian island in the Persian Gulf as a transfer point, in an operation that has increased its oil revenues from smuggling, reported Dallas News on July 17.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say Saddam Hussein's government has earned $25 million to $40 million a month, perhaps twice the amount the illicit transactions yielded two years ago. Iran's Revolutionary Guards, are netting an estimated $20 million a month for their role in allowing the vessels to pass through Iranian waters.
An average of about seven small oil-laden vessels a day depart Iraq and rendezvous with larger vessels off tiny Qais Island, a tourist center just off the Iranian mainland in the Persian Gulf, the officials said. Once the transfer of cargo takes place, these vessels can head for almost any destination in need of oil.
© 2000 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
