Iran Cyberwarfare Targets US: Sanctions Issued

The United States Treasury Department has announced the imposition of sanctions against four Iranian citizens and two corporations for their involvement in cyberattacks targeting U.S. government agencies, defense contractors, and private companies.

The sanctions have affected two defense companies, Mehrsam Andisheh Saz Nik (MASN) and Dadeh Afzar Arman (DAA), which operated on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Cyber Command (IRGC-CEC).

Alireza Shafie Nasab and Reza Kazemifar Rahman, employed by MASN, executed attacks on American organizations. Kazemifar also engaged in phishing attacks against the U.S. Treasury Department. Hossein Mohammad Haruni, another sanctioned individual, attacked the Treasury and other American institutions using social engineering techniques.

Komeil Baradaran Salmani was linked to attacks coordinated through MASN, DAA, and other IRGC-CEC defense companies. All assets and interests of the named individuals and organizations within the U.S. are frozen, and any transactions involving their assets require authorization from the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

The U.S. State Department has also announced a reward of up to $10 million for information about Kazemifar, Salmani, Haruni, and the companies MASN and DAA.

Additionally, charges have been disclosed against Kazemifar, Salmani, and Haruni for participating in attacks against U.S. government agencies and private entities from 2016 to 2021. Alireza Shafi Nasab was charged in February for attacks on American defense contractors and other companies.