US seizes US$131M in Iran-linked crypto

• US authorities have frozen about US$131 million in cryptocurrency linked to Iran.
• Officials said the funds were connected to sanctions evasion and illicit financial activity.
• The action comes as tensions in the Middle East remain elevated.

US authorities have frozen about US$131 million in cryptocurrency linked to Iran as part of an enforcement action targeting alleged sanctions violations.

Officials said the seized digital assets were connected to networks accused of helping Iran move funds through cryptocurrency.

"We will continue to disrupt illicit financial networks that threaten national security," US officials said.

The seizure is part of broader efforts to enforce US sanctions using blockchain analysis and digital asset investigations.

Authorities said cryptocurrencies can be traced despite attempts to hide transactions through complex wallet networks.

The enforcement action comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East remain high.

US agencies have increasingly targeted cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges they believe are linked to sanctioned organisations and illicit finance.