US imposes sanctions on Iran over Albania cyber attack
The US Treasury on Friday imposed sanctions on Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security and its minister over accusations that they were linked to a July cyber attack on Albania and cyber-hacking activities against the United States and its allies.
The move came after Albania cut diplomatic ties with Iran on Wednesday following a July cyber attack that it blamed on Iran, and ordered Iranian diplomats and embassy staff to leave within 24 hours.
The US Treasury said in a statement that the Department of Intelligence and Security oversees many networks that contain elements that pose a threat to cyber security over the Internet, including those who have participated in electronic espionage and ransomware attacks in support of the Iranian government.
The department is already subject to US sanctions.
Iran's mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Microsoft, whose cybersecurity research team investigated the incident, said in a blog post on Thursday that the Iranian cyber operation involved a combination of digital espionage and data-scavenging malware techniques.
According to the researchers, the attackers' goal was to embarrass Albanian government officials.
The attacks in July temporarily disrupted government websites and other public services.
Analysts say the operation was intended to punish Albania for supporting opponents of the Iranian People's Mojahedin Organization (PMOI).
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