European Digital Security Agency Warns of Increased 'Cyber Attacks from Iran'

The European Union's Digital Security Agency announced on Monday, February 27, that Iran is likely to increase its cyber espionage activities as its relations with Western powers deteriorate. Reuters reported in November that in recent years, as Iran has sought to strengthen its influence in the Middle East and beyond, hackers affiliated with the Islamic Republic have conducted several cyber attacks and campaigns to spread fake news. The European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) stated in a report on this issue: 'Recent sanctions against Iran are likely to push the country towards intensifying cyber actions and attacks in line with its strategic and geopolitical objectives in the region.' An Iranian senior official dismissed the report, claiming it is 'part of the psychological warfare by the U.S. and its allies against Iran.' ENISA considers state-affiliated hackers to be the most dangerous threat to the digital security of the EU. The report also mentions: 'China, Russia, and Iran have the highest capabilities and activity in the field of economic cyber attacks.' These three countries have repeatedly denied U.S. allegations regarding cyber attacks. About ten years ago, Iran's Natanz enrichment facility was targeted by a computer virus known as 'Stuxnet,' which is widely believed to have been carried out by the U.S. and Israel. In March 2018, when the U.S. government sanctioned several Iranians for conducting cyber attacks on behalf of the government, Iran's Foreign Ministry condemned it as a 'provocative, illegitimate, and unjustifiable' action. In November, the U.S. government charged two Iranians for a cyber attack using the 'SamSam' ransomware and sanctioned two others for participating in converting ransom payments from Bitcoin to rials. ENISA's report also indicated that Iranian cyber activities are expected to increase in the coming months, especially if Tehran fails to convince the EU to remain in the JCPOA. In this context, U.S. officials accused Iran of preparing for 'cyber attacks.' Concerns have also been raised by the German domestic intelligence agency regarding Iran's cyber attack capabilities. The U.S. is prepared to counter 'potential cyber attacks from Iran.' Reuters reported on Iran's 'efforts' for targeted and false news dissemination. The U.S. government issued an extraordinary security directive to combat Iranian hackers and sanctioned two Iranians in connection with the 'SamSam' ransomware and converting Bitcoin to rials.