Crypto fuels Iran’s advanced weapons trade
Iran accepts cryptocurrency as payment for advanced weapons
Iran’s state defense export agency is offering foreign governments the option to pay for advanced weapons systems using cryptocurrency, according to a government website cited by the Financial Times.
The Ministry of Defence Export Center, known as Mindex, presents itself as the export arm of Iran’s defense ministry and advertises more than 3,000 products across categories including armaments, rockets and missiles, aviation, marine platforms, and radar and optical systems.
On its portal, Mindex’s payment terms state that contracts can be settled using “digital currencies,” local currencies in the buyer’s country, and barter arrangements, alongside more traditional bank transfers. The outlet said prospective customers could purchase weapons such as missiles, tanks, and drones using crypto.
The Financial Times reported that Mindex is prepared to negotiate military contracts that allow payments in cryptocurrency, barter trade, or the Iranian rial.
The development matters because it reflects how heavily sanctioned states are increasingly turning to digital assets and alternative settlement methods to navigate restrictions in global finance. Iran faces extensive international sanctions that can complicate cross-border transactions and access to the banking system.
The Financial Times described the offer, which was made last year, as one of the first known cases of a nation-state publicly indicating a willingness to accept cryptocurrency as payment for weapons exports.
Separate reporting cited in the provided information also pointed to earlier indications that Iran was exploring digital currencies as a sanction-bypassing mechanism, before the payment option appeared in official terms published by Mindex.
