Salim Ahmed Said, also known as Salem Omeid, is one man with two names who has been making headlines across Iraq since early July 2025 after the U.S. Treasury blacklisted him as an Iraqi businessman allegedly leading a “shadow fleet” smuggling Iranian oil.

In light of the 12-day Israeli war on Iran, Iraq’s Shiite religious authority renewed its call for arms to be limited to the state alone and warned against returning to what it described as “eras of oppression and tyranny."

U.S. President Donald Trump's remarks about the need to eliminate “Tehran’s proxies” in the region have raised pressing questions about whether Washington intends to target Iraqi factions, especially following Israeli Occupation’s attacks on Iran on June 13, 2025.

Given the deep political and security ties between Baghdad and Tehran, many believe the Iran-”Israel” war could reshape Iraq’s reality once again.

Despite strong ties, Iran bypasses Iraq for key nuclear talks with the U.S., favoring Oman's neutral role.