The imports for this year have been swelled by a sharp increase in oil purchases.

Often, the agreements that lead to oil purchases also come with agreements for new loans.

If we continue to finance them with our oil purchases, they will reshape the world in their image, around Putin-like values.

The increase in imports came mostly as a result of a $600 million rise in oil purchases.

Threatening sanctions - a cutoff in oil purchases, for example - is not viewed as credible or likely to get much support, they say.

"Foreign countries do not seek U.S. approval for oil purchases from a third country," she said.

Imports rose to $16.05 billion, from $13.5 billion a year earlier, helped by oil purchases and generally strong domestic demand in Japan.

The companies say their Iraqi oil purchases were not illegal or unknown in international oil markets.

The government's oil purchases have taken place at a time of higher prices, but they are not a major cause of the increase.

"That has not happened yet, but if there are signs of an increase in oil purchases, I am sure that question will be promptly addressed."