US moves to seize $61 million in crypto tied to Iran oil trade

The US Justice Department has filed a civil forfeiture claim seeking $61 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to the Iranian military's black-market oil sales, according to the US Attorney's Office.

The Justice Department accused Tehran of using illicit sales of sanctioned crude oil to finance its military and support terrorism in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.

In a press release, the department said Iran had also used a network of cryptocurrency actors in China and other locations to launder more than $1.5 billion in proceeds from illicit oil sales.

"Today's complaint demonstrates the FBI's ability to follow the money, root out illicit schemes, and halt the stream of cryptocurrency to any government attempting to evade sanctions or committing terrorist activities," FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Barnacle Jr. said.

"By cutting off funds raised by the black market sale of crude oil, the Iranian military and terrorists are weakened. The FBI will not relent in its resolve to drain the funds from dangerous foreign actors," he added.

The forfeiture claim is the latest in a series of legal actions taken by US prosecutors against Iran in recent months, as fighting between the two countries continued.

News.Az