Cyber Threats Know No Borders

DOJ Indictment of IRGC employees highlights urgent need for vigilance in the Americas

The unsealed U.S. Department of Justice indictment of three Iranian nationals and IRGC employees for a “hack-and-leak” operation against U.S. elections should be a reminder to policymakers and voters: these threats are not distant problems confined to the Middle East. They reach into our hemisphere, including allies like Canada, and pose a real risk to the democratic systems of the Americas.

The IRGC’s influence extends beyond the Middle East, as Iran works closely with allies in Latin America, such as Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. These nations have shared interests with the IRGC and provide strategic footholds for Iran in the Western Hemisphere, allowing it to expand its influence and destabilize democratic institutions.

24 Cr 439 Iran Indictment 9

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The Justice Department today announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Iranian nationals, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) employees, Masoud Jalili, 36, also known as, مسعود جلیلی, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, 34, also known as, سید علی آقامیری, and Yaser Balaghi, 37, also known as, یاسر بلاغی (the Conspirators), with a conspiracy with others known and unknown to hack into accounts of current and former U.S. officials, members of the media, nongovernmental organizations, and individuals associated with U.S. political campaigns. The activity was part of Iran’s continuing efforts to stoke discord, erode confidence in the U.S. electoral process, and unlawfully acquire information relating to current and former U.S. officials that could be used to advance the malign activities of the IRGC, including ongoing efforts to avenge the death of Qasem Soleimani, the former commander of the IRGC – Qods Force (IRGC-QF).

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