# Iranian authorities crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/iranian-authorities-crackdown-on-illegal-cryptocurrency
> Updated: 2026-10-20T12:15:07.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Iranian authorities have conducted several operations targeting illegal cryptocurrency mining to mitigate energy theft and pressure on the national electricity distribution network.

In Khuzestan province, officials implemented the ‘Mahtab’ national plan to manage non-technical energy losses. In Shushtar, authorities seized over 100 illegal mining devices and 41 unauthorized transformers. The Khuzestan Electricity Distribution Company reported recovering approximately 6.78 million kilowatt-hours of energy from illegal connections and an additional 4.36 million kilowatt-hours through meter replacements.

In Bandar Abbas, economic security police raided a residential property, seizing 11 unauthorized mining devices and equipment valued at approximately 22 billion rials. Officials categorized these illegal mining activities as a form of commodity smuggling due to the excessive pressure they place on the power grid.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-20: Iranian authorities seize smuggled fabric and illegal crypto miners

Iranian police seized 210 billion rials worth of smuggled fabric near Qom and 11 illegal cryptocurrency mining devices in Bandar Abbas.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iranian-authorities-seize-smuggled-fabric-and-illegal-crypto-miners

### 2026-10-13: Khuzestan authorities seize 100 illegal crypto miners

Khuzestan authorities seized over 100 illegal cryptocurrency miners and 220 unauthorized electricity connections during a crackdown on energy theft in Shushtar.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/khuzestan-authorities-seize-100-illegal-crypto-miners

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Cite as: Iranian authorities crackdown on illegal cryptocurrency. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/iranian-authorities-crackdown-on-illegal-cryptocurrency