U.S. Justice Department Seizes Domains in Operation Against Iranian Cyber Psychological Campaigns
The U.S. Justice Department disrupted a covert Iranian campaign of cyber-enabled psychological operations by seizing four online domains operated by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS). These domains were used to claim responsibility for hacking incidents, publish stolen sensitive data, and incite violence against journalists, regime critics, and Israeli individuals.
The MOIS targeted multiple global adversaries to intimidate and silence dissent through digital means, illustrating the increasingly sophisticated nature of state-sponsored transnational repression. Among the activities exposed was the use of one domain to claim credit for a destructive malware attack in March 2026 against a multinational medical technologies firm based in the United States.
This operation highlights Tehran’s continued cyber aggression beyond conventional espionage, incorporating psychological warfare tactics designed to destabilize opponents and spread fear globally. The move to seize the websites is part of an ongoing effort by U.S. authorities to counter Iran’s cyber operations which threaten international security and public safety.
Individuals at risk include journalists, dissidents, and foreign nationals targeted for harassment and violence, while companies face potential cyberattacks and unauthorized exposure of proprietary data. This disruption denies Iran’s MOIS a platform for propaganda and malicious cyber activities, signaling a stronger stance against state-backed cyber threats.
