Lorestan power utility says it has seized 152 illegal crypto mining rigs since the start of the Iranian year

Shirzad Jamshidi, chief executive of the Lorestan Power Distribution Company, said on Monday, 27 July 2026, that the company's operations and inspection teams have identified, found and confiscated 152 unauthorised cryptocurrency mining rigs across the province since the start of the current Iranian year.

He said that during the critical summer period of peak electricity demand, electricity theft and unauthorised crypto mining are not merely an economic offence but, in his words, an attack on the country's energy security, because every illegal mining rig consumes power needed by homes, medical centres, industry and public services, and reduces the stability of the grid.

According to Jamshidi, beyond confiscating the equipment, the electricity supply to these sites is cut and offenders face legal action. He also noted that energy intensive industries remain obliged to meet their legal duties, including building their own dedicated power plants.