The US Department of Justice has announced criminal charges against three Iranian hackers involved in a “broad hacking campaign” that primarily targeted former President Trump’s campaign documents, which were then leaked to the press.
Court documents show that hackers used spearphishing and social engineering techniques to compromise accounts of members of the media, U.S. government officials and campaign staffers.
The suspects were named as Masoud Jalili, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, and Yasar Balaghi, each of whom was charged with identity theft, conspiracy to provide materials in support of a terrorist organization, and more. The DOJ’s indictment attributes the hack to a broader vow of revenge by the Iranian government after the Trump administration killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
Election interference
The 2024 US election cycle was the target of repeated attempts by foreign actors to influence voters and spread divisive rhetoric, with both Chinese and Russian state actors found to be spreading propaganda online.
The DOJ says this Iranian campaign is no different, with Attorney General Merrick Garland noting, “we know Iran continues its brazen efforts to stoke discord, undermine confidence in the U.S. electoral process, and shift its malign activities to the IRGC, a designated foreign terrorist organization.”
“The American people and the American people alone will determine the outcome of our country’s elections.”
It was recently revealed that although multiple news organizations had received the campaign’s leaked materials, they all chose not to publish the details. The Biden campaign team was also sent the files, but ignored them.
The State Department has offered a $10 million reward for information on the three Iranian men involved, who have yet to be apprehended by U.S. officials.
Via The registry