Iran Opens Door to Crypto Payments for Overseas Arms Sales

Iran has formally signaled its readiness to accept cryptocurrency for overseas weapons sales, marking a notable shift in how the country structures state-controlled defense trade. According to a report by the Financial Times, Iran’s Ministry of Defence Export Center, widely known as Mindex, now lists digital assets alongside traditional payment methods such as barter arrangements and Iranian rials. The move reflects Iran’s broader efforts to adapt to international sanctions and expand alternative financial channels.

Mindex is a government-run agency responsible for regulating and facilitating arms exports, maintaining active commercial relationships with around 35 countries. Its catalog reportedly includes advanced military hardware such as ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, warships, and short-range air defense systems. The inclusion of crypto payments has been quietly promoted over the past year as part of its formal export framework.

The Financial Times confirmed the authenticity of the Mindex platform through archived web data and domain registration records. Technical analysis indicated that the website is hosted on a domestic Iranian cloud provider, an entity already subject to U.S. sanctions and previously identified by Washington as having intelligence links. Despite this, the platform remains operational and openly accessible.

Export contracts arranged through Mindex reportedly include operational restrictions, requiring buyers to comply with specific conditions on how the weapons may be used, particularly in conflicts involving other states. These provisions can be adjusted through negotiations depending on the contracting parties. The platform also features an online chatbot that guides prospective buyers through procurement procedures, including delivery logistics, compliance requirements, and payment options such as Iran crypto settlements.

Although pricing details are not publicly disclosed, Mindex states that payment structures are flexible and can be adapted to the buyer’s country. The agency also offers on-site equipment inspections in Iran, subject to approval by security authorities. A dedicated section addresses sanctions risks, asserting that state-backed mechanisms enable contract fulfillment even under international financial pressure.

This development mirrors a broader trend among sanctioned states turning to cryptocurrency to bypass traditional banking systems. U.S. authorities have previously accused both Iranian and Russian actors of using digital currencies to evade sanctions, including facilitating oil exports and operating shadow banking networks. Recent U.S. Treasury sanctions have specifically cited Iran-linked cryptocurrency activity as part of these enforcement actions, underscoring the growing scrutiny facing crypto networks worldwide.