US Treasury Hits Crypto Network in Iran Oil Scheme

US Treasury Targets Crypto Network Fueling Iran’s Oil Trade and Military

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: September 17, 2025

Key Takeaways

US Treasury sanctioned two Iranians and firms in Hong Kong and the UAE over $100 million in crypto oil sales tied to Iran's military programs;
The scheme used front companies to hide oil revenue transfers through cryptocurrency exchanges;
Officials said Iran relies on covert financial networks to bypass sanctions and fund defense and regional operations.

Ace quick missions & earn crypto rewards while gaining real-world Web3 skills. Participate Now! 🔥

BITDEGREE IN YOUR SOCIAL FEED

The US government has announced new penalties aimed at a network involved in selling Iranian oil through digital currency channels.

Two individuals from Iran and several businesses based in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates are at the center of the action.

According to a press release by the US Treasury Department, this network transferred more than $100 million in cryptocurrency, with the proceeds supporting Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force (IRGC-QF) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL).

Layer 2 Scaling Solutions Explained With Animations

Did you know?

Want to get smarter & wealthier with crypto?

Subscribe - We publish new crypto explainer videos every week!

These transactions were concealed using a web of front companies, designed to hide the origin and destination of the funds.

Alireza Derakhshan and Arash Estaki Alivand, both Iranian nationals, were identified as key coordinators. The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) stated that they set up and used businesses in Hong Kong and the UAE to process the cryptocurrency tied to oil exports.

These companies were used to make the transactions appear legitimate.

A senior Treasury official, John K. Hurley, stated that Iran relies on alternative financial networks to work around sanctions and transfer money internationally.

He emphasized the US commitment to continue targeting such channels in order to disrupt the funding of Iran’s military programs and regional activities.

Recently, federal officials in Massachusetts initiated a legal process to seize $584,741 in Tether USDT $1.00 from Mohammad Abedini. What happened? Read the full story.