The Iran Threat
The Iranian regime presents a threat from many angles: Cyber. Foreign intelligence. Terrorism.
Threats from the Iranian regime and its terrorist partners can reach across the globe. The FBI is committed to identifying and disrupting all Iranian intelligence and military operations that threaten American citizens or our nation's security and critical infrastructure.
Working with our intelligence and law enforcement partners worldwide, the FBI has countered a diverse set of threats directed by the Iranian regime, including attempted terrorist attacks and kidnappings, espionage and foreign influence operations, cyber attacks, sanctions evasion, and illicit procurement of sensitive technology to support Iran’s military capability and nuclear program.
The Iranian regime has used repressive tactics in its wrongful detention of Americans in Iran on unsubstantiated criminal charges. The Iranian regime has also exported its repression through its harassment and lethal targeting of Iranian dissidents worldwide, including Americans living in the United States.
The FBI will continue to work diligently to thwart Iran’s violent agenda and use all available authorities to investigate criminal actions directed by the Iranian regime and its terrorist partners like Lebanese Hizballah, including any threats to current or former U.S. officials.
“In the summer of 2021, hackers sponsored by the Iranian government tried to conduct one of the most despicable cyberattacks I’ve seen...when they decided to go after Boston Children’s Hospital. ...Our folks got the hospital’s team the information they needed to stop the danger right away.”
Iran at Center of Cyber Crime Charges in Three Cases
Criminal charges announced against multiple alleged hackers in Iran show the breadth of the cyber threat emanating from that country and the FBI and partner agency efforts to neutralize it and hold the individuals accountable.
Department of Defense Linguist Sentenced to 23 Years
In June 2021, Mariam Thompson was sentenced to 23 years in prison for delivering classified national defense information to aid a foreign government.
Member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Charged with Plot to Murder the Former National Security Advisor
An Iranian national and member of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was charged by complaint with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire and with providing and attempting to provide material support to a transnational murder plot.
Seeking Missing Retired FBI Agent Robert Levinson
The FBI continues to investigate the disappearance of Robert A. Levinson since he went missing on Kish Island, Iran, on March 9, 2007.
Man Sentenced to 25 Years for Conspiring with Iranian Officials to Assassinate a Diplomat in Washington, D.C.
In 2011, Manssor Arbabsiar and his Iran-based co-conspirators plotted the murder of the Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the U.S. Arbabsiar admitted he was recruited, funded, and directed by men he understood to be senior officials in Iran’s Qods Force.
Industry Alerts
Industry alerts illustrate the threat Iran poses to our nation’s safety and security in a digitally connected world. Material is intended for industry professionals and subject matter experts.
- Context and Recommendations to Protect Against Malicious Activity by Iranian Cyber Group Emennet Pasargad
- Iranian Government-Sponsored Actors Conduct Cyber Operations Against Global Government and Commercial Networks
- Iranian Government-Sponsored APT Cyber Actors Exploiting Microsoft Exchange and Fortinet Vulnerabilities in Furtherance of Malicious Activities
Transnational Repression
Some countries’ governments harass and intimidate their own citizens living in the U.S. This violates U.S. law and individual rights and freedoms.
Department of Treasury
Department of Commerce
Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS)
Listing
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07.13.2021
Iranian Intelligence Officials Indicted on Kidnapping Conspiracy Charges
Four Iranian nationals were indicted in connection with allegedly conspiring to kidnap a Brooklyn journalist, author, and human rights activist for mobilizing public opinion in Iran and around the world to bring about changes to the regime’s laws and practices.
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11.10.2020
Chin Hua Huang, DES International Co., Ltd., and Soltech Industry Co., Ltd. were charged with participating in a criminal conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and sanctions against Iran.
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11.04.2020
The United States has seized 27 domain names that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) unlawfully used to further a global covert influence campaign. The action follows last month’s seizure of 92 IRGC domains.
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09.17.2020
This week, the Department of Justice and partner agencies have engaged in a coordinated effort to disrupt and deter malicious cyber activities by actors associated with the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as other Iran-based individuals.
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09.17.2020
Iranian Hackers Indicted for Stealing Data from Aerospace and Satellite Tracking Companies
Three computer hackers were charged with engaging in a coordinated campaign of identity theft and hacking on behalf of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a designated foreign terrorist organization, to steal critical information related to U.S. aerospace and satellite technology and resources.
1 - 5 of 16 Results
KIYA SADEGHI
Conspiracy to Kidnap; Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
ALIREZA SHAHVAROGHI FARAHANI
Conspiracy to Kidnap; Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire…
MAHMOUD KHAZEIN
Conspiracy to Kidnap; Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
OMID NOORI
Conspiracy to Kidnap; Conspiracy to Violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; Conspiracy to Commit Bank and Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering
MONICA ELFRIEDE WITT
Conspiracy to Deliver National Defense Information to Representatives of a Foreign Government; Delivering National Defense Information to Representatives of a Foreign Government
HOSSEIN AHMAD LARIJANI
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States by Dishonest Means; Smuggling; Illegal Exports and Attempted Illegal Exports in Violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act…
IRANIAN DDoS ATTACKS
Conspiracy to Commit Computer Intrusion.
SAMSAM SUBJECTS
Conspiracy to Commit Fraud and Related Activity in Connection with Computers; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Intentional Damage…
IRANIAN MABNA HACKERS
Conspiracy to Commit Computer Intrusions; Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Computer Fraud–Unauthorized Access for Private Financial Gain…
IRANIAN INTERFERENCE IN 2020 U.S. ELECTIONS
Conspiracy; Unauthorized Access to a Computer; Knowingly Damaging Protected Computer; Voter Intimidation; Interstate Threats
ALI SAED BIN ALI EL-HOORIE
Conspiracy to Kill U.S. Nationals; Conspiracy to Murder U.S. Employees; Conspiracy to Use Weapons of Mass…
MOHAMMED ALI HAMADEI
Conspiracy to Commit Aircraft Piracy, to Commit Hostage Taking, to Commit Air Piracy Resulting in Murder, to Interfere…
AHMAD IBRAHIM AL-MUGHASSIL
Conspiracy to Kill U.S. Nationals; Conspiracy to Murder U.S. Employees; Conspiracy to Use Weapons of Mass…
ABDELKARIM HUSSEIN MOHAMED AL-NASSER
Conspiracy to Kill U.S. Nationals; Conspiracy to Murder U.S. Employees; Conspiracy to Use Weapons of Mass…
ALI ATWA
Conspiracy to Commit Aircraft Piracy, to Commit Hostage Taking, to Commit Air Piracy Resulting in Murder, to Interfere…
IBRAHIM SALIH MOHAMMED AL-YACOUB
Conspiracy to Kill U.S. Nationals; Conspiracy to Murder U.S. Employees; Conspiracy to Use Weapons of Mass…
HASAN IZZ-AL-DIN
Conspiracy to Commit Aircraft Piracy, to Commit Hostage Taking, to Commit Air Piracy Resulting in Murder, to Interfere…