Iran's Ministry of Defence Export Center has made clear its willingness to accept cryptocurrency payments for advanced military equipment, including ballistic missiles, drones, and warships, according to a report published by The Financial Times.

The state-run export agency, known as Mindex, is reportedly prepared to negotiate contracts that allow payment in digital currencies, as well as through barter arrangements and Iranian rials. 

The initiative, which first emerged in 2025, represents one of the earliest known instances of a nation-state publicly offering to accept cryptocurrency for weapons exports.

Circumventing Sanctions Through Digital Assets

Mindex maintains relationships with 35 countries and markets a range of military hardware through its multilingual website, including Emad ballistic missiles, Shahed drones, and Shahid Soleimani-class warships. 

Per The Times of Israel, the platform features an FAQ section addressing sanctions concerns, stating that… 

"given the general policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding circumvention of sanctions, there is no problem in implementing the contract."

Western powers, including the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, have imposed extensive sanctions on Iran targeting its nuclear programs, oil sector, and access to international banking networks. 

It is becoming increasingly clear that these restrictions have pushed Tehran toward alternative payment methods.

A Clear Pattern

Iran's pivot to cryptocurrency is not new. 

In September 2025, the US Treasury Department sanctioned two Iranian nationals who facilitated over $100 million in bitcoin and digital asset purchases to process Iranian government oil sales between 2023 and 2025.

The Treasury has also targeted vessels involved in covert oil exports, announcing sanctions in December 2024 against 29 "shadow fleet" ships that aided the delivery of Iranian petroleum products.

The Shifting Global Arms Market

The development occurs against the backdrop of a reshaping global weapons trade. 

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia's arms exports declined 64% between 2015-2019 and 2020-2024, creating opportunities for alternative suppliers. Iran ranked 18th globally for major arms exports in 2024, per the Financial Times report.

For potential buyers, the risks remain substantial. Any party using conventional finance to transact with Iran faces possible restrictions under US and allied sanctions programs, which can sever access to Western banking and trade services - critical infrastructure components for any global organization.

Sources

• The Financial Times: Iran offers to sell advanced weapons systems for crypto
• SIPRI: TRENDS IN INTERNATIONAL ARMS TRANSFERS, 2024
• The Block: Iran moves to accept crypto payments in weapon sales to evade sanctions: FT
• Yahoo Finance (CryptoNews): Iran Looks to Crypto as Payment for Overseas Arms Sales: Report
• The Times of Israel: Iran reportedly offering sale of weapons for crypto to bypass Western oversight — report
• US Treasury Dept.: Treasury Targets Iran-Venezuela Weapons Trade
• US Treasury Dept.: Treasury Maintains Pressure on Iranian Shadow Fleet

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