US slaps sanctions on Iranian hackers
The American Treasury Department imposed sanctions on hackers working for Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security
Ami Rojkes Dombe
| 23/09/2020
Photo: Bigstock
The American Justice Department has charged Iranians with cyber crimes. In light of this, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a number of hackers residing in Iran.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the world’s leading threats to cybersecurity and human rights online. Today, the United States is sanctioning the Iranian cyber threat group Advanced Persistent Threat 39 (APT39), 45 associated individuals, and a front company, Rana Intelligence Company (Rana) pursuant to Executive Order 13553," a statement by the State Department said.
"Together, these groups and individuals targeted at least 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as hundreds of individuals and entities in 30 additional countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. We will continue to expose Iran’s nefarious behavior and impose costs on the regime."
These hackers acted under the instructions of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security that conducts surveillance of dissidents, journalists and international companies for the regime. "It has recruited cyber threat groups, front companies, and hackers, and has employed malware to target innocent civilians and companies, and advance the regime’s malign agenda around the world," the statement said.
"Cyber actors advance Iranian national security objectives and the strategic goals of MOIS by conducting computer attacks and malware campaigns against perceived adversaries, including foreign governments and other individuals the MOIS considers a threat.
The American Treasury Department imposed sanctions on hackers working for Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security
Photo: Bigstock
The American Justice Department has charged Iranians with cyber crimes. In light of this, the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on a number of hackers residing in Iran.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the world’s leading threats to cybersecurity and human rights online. Today, the United States is sanctioning the Iranian cyber threat group Advanced Persistent Threat 39 (APT39), 45 associated individuals, and a front company, Rana Intelligence Company (Rana) pursuant to Executive Order 13553," a statement by the State Department said.
"Together, these groups and individuals targeted at least 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as hundreds of individuals and entities in 30 additional countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. We will continue to expose Iran’s nefarious behavior and impose costs on the regime."
These hackers acted under the instructions of the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security that conducts surveillance of dissidents, journalists and international companies for the regime. "It has recruited cyber threat groups, front companies, and hackers, and has employed malware to target innocent civilians and companies, and advance the regime’s malign agenda around the world," the statement said.
"Cyber actors advance Iranian national security objectives and the strategic goals of MOIS by conducting computer attacks and malware campaigns against perceived adversaries, including foreign governments and other individuals the MOIS considers a threat.
