The U.S. Justice Department has charged three Iranian hackers, accusing them of targeting former President Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign in an attempt to disrupt the U.S. presidential election. The men, all linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, have been charged with multiple cyber crimes, including wire fraud, identity theft, and computer fraud.
Attempt to Disrupt the 2020 Election
According to Attorney General Merrick Garland, the hackers aimed to undermine Trump’s presidential campaign by stealing internal documents such as debate preparation material. These documents were leaked to media outlets and the Biden campaign. However, the Biden campaign refused to use the stolen information.
How the Hack Occurred
The indictment details how the hackers tricked campaign officials using fake email accounts, gaining access to sensitive data. Although the Trump campaign confirmed a hacking attempt by Iran in August 2020, they stated that no private information was compromised.
Sanctions and Further Accusations
The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the three Iranian hackers and other members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Iran denies these accusations, calling them baseless. The Justice Department has pledged to continue pursuing these individuals despite their current safe haven in Iran.
Broader Concerns of Foreign Interference
The Iranian hacking group, APT42, is also known for placing surveillance software on mobile devices. This is not the first instance of foreign election interference; the Justice Department has also pursued Russian attempts to tamper with U.S. elections.
Attorney General Garland emphasized, “We will follow these people for the rest of their lives,” signaling continued efforts to hold the hackers accountable.
