Iran Offers to Sell Weapons Systems in Exchange for Crypto

• Iran’s state arms exporter is allowing weapons contracts to be settled in crypto.
• A report revealed that the roll-out took place quietly a year ago.
• The goal is to bypass sanctions by shifting payments outside banking systems.

Iran’s Ministry of Defence Export Center has begun to offer foreign buyers the option to pay for weapons contracts with cryptocurrency, according to reports.

The policy has been active for about a year and applies to overseas sales handled by the state exporter. The offer allows settlement in digital assets, barter trade, or Iranian rials. The exporter claims active client ties with 35 countries. Its catalogue covers ballistic missiles, rockets, drones, warships, air defence systems, vehicles, explosives, and ammunition.

Interestingly, buyers can request in‑person inspections inside Iran after security approval, making this one of the first public cases of a state offering strategic weapons for crypto.

Bypassing Sanctions 

Western sanctions limit Iran’s access to banks and dollar rails. Crypto provides a settlement path outside those rails. The exporter states that contracts can proceed despite sanctions and that delivery will follow once terms are signed.

The intent is to reduce payment friction and close deals that would fail through normal finance.

However, the timing matters as sanctions have expanded across oil, shipping, and military supply chains. The United States recently added dozens of vessels tied to covert oil transport to its sanctions list.

As pressure rises, barter and crypto move from backup tools to default options, according to the report from FT. Notably, Iran has used crypto for years to move funds linked to oil sales and military logistics. 

Authorities in Israel and the United States have seized wallets tied to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and allied groups. Also, Iran ranked 18th in global arms exports in 2024. 

A Look Inside Iran

Domestic crypto use is massive in Iran. Around five million residents trade digital assets. Inbound crypto volume rose about 11.8% year over year in 2025. 

Local exchanges operate despite sanctions, even after a major hack at a leading platform caused losses estimated at $80-90 million.

On the other hand, the rial has weakened sharply, with a dollar worth more than 1.25 million rials. Stablecoins pegged to the dollar serve as a common store of value. Lawmakers and the central bank are now pushing for rules rather than bans.

Related: Tether’s $700M Wallet Freeze Targets Iran-Linked Funds on Tron Network