The U.S. designated the “Iraqi Popular Mobilisation Committee (PMC) Chairman… for his connection to serious human rights abuse”. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that “Iran-aligned PMC forces continue to wage a murderous campaign against political activists in Iraq… today’s action is a clear message that the U.S. stands with the Iraqi people in their pursuit of freedom, justice and democracy”. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry subsequently asserted that “the decision was an unacceptable surprise”, adding that it would “follow up with the current and new administration in Washington all decisions issued by the U.S. Treasury Department against Iraqi names”.