Reuters: The U.S. Accuses Iranian Hackers of Breaching a Dam and Several Banks

Reuters reports that the U.S. government is expected to officially accuse Iranian hackers of conducting coordinated cyberattacks on a dam and several American banks in 2012 and 2013 in the coming hours on April 5. Previously, at the end of March, American media, including CNN, had reported that an indictment would soon be filed in this regard. Reuters now states that the U.S. Department of Justice has prepared an indictment against nearly five Iranians. According to Reuters, this is one of the 'most decisive' indictments of its kind, directed at the perpetrator or perpetrators from a foreign country. Previously, in Spring 2013, the U.S. had made accusations regarding cyberattacks against a group of Chinese military personnel. Barack Obama also personally condemned North Korea's cyberattacks on Sony Pictures, which were related to a comedy film involving Kim Jong-un. Reuters indicates that this indictment is expected to directly link the attacks of 2012 and 2013 to parts of the Iranian government. Iranian hackers are accused of breaching the control system of the 'Bowman Avenue' dam near New York. It was said that this action was not a complex attack. However, Reuters states that in the indictment, which is likely to be published on Thursday morning U.S. time, this attack will be described as part of a broader campaign; actions that were not previously clear. Charges are also expected regarding cyberattacks on banks. However, a source in conversation with Reuters stated that the names of these banks will not appear in the indictment due to concerns about damaging their financial relations. Earlier, when CNN's report was published, Mark Toner, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated, 'It is clear that we take malicious activities in cyberspace seriously and will use all the tools and resources at our disposal to prevent and combat them.' Reuters notes that the forthcoming indictment is a new step by the Obama administration in addressing foreign cyberattacks against the United States. Meanwhile, concerns about cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure, power plants, banks, and financial institutions have increased over the past years, and U.S. security officials have also issued warnings in this regard.