US targets Iran’s intelligence and security ministry with fresh sanctions

The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on 45 individuals and two entities linked to Iran’s intelligence and security ministry.

The State Department named one of the entities as Iranian cyber-threat group Advanced Persistent Threat 39 and the other as a front company called Rana Intelligence Computing Company. Official said both are owned or controlled by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.

The Iranian government “employed a years-long malware campaign that targeted Iranian dissidents, journalists, and international companies in the travel sector” through Rana the department said.

The regime is using its intelligence ministry to target innocent civilians and companies and “advance its destabilizing agenda around the world,” Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

He added that the US will counter cyber campaigns that jeoporadize security and inflict damage on the international travel sector.

The 45 designated individuals had worked as managers, programmers, and hacking experts while employed by Rana. They targeted the networks of international businesses, institutions, air carriers, and other targets that the ministry considered a threat.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the US would continue to “expose Iran’s nefarious behaviour” and that the country is determined to protect itself and its allies from Iranian hackers.