U.S. DOJ seeks $61 million in what it calls Iran's crypto-laundered black market oil sales
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a civil forfeiture complaint against $61 million in cryptocurrency proceeds linked to Iranian black-market oil sales. The funds were allegedly used to support the IRGC, with the DOJ identifying a complex network of unhosted wallets used to bypass sanctions.
Why it matters
This case underscores the intersection of digital assets and international sanctions enforcement, highlighting how crypto is used to circumvent global financial restrictions.
On Monday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a civil forfeiture complaint against $61 million in crypto proceeds linked to Iran's black-market sales of crude oil and petroleum products.
The filing alleges the funds were destined for the Iranian government and its military branches, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization.
"Today's action demonstrates our determination to deprive the Government of Iran and its terrorist proxies of the illegal money they rely on to threaten the lives and safety of the citizens of the United States and elsewhere," Deputy U.S. Attorney Sean S. Buckley said.
“The Government of Iran relies on black-market sales of sanctioned crude oil to fund its military and foster terrorism in the Middle East and around the world, along with other malign efforts to develop a nuclear program and ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear payloads," Buckley added.
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