The U.S. Accuses Three IRGC Members of Cyber Plot Against Trump's Campaign

The U.S. Attorney's Office has accused three Iranians employed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of targeting members of Donald Trump's election campaign as part of a widespread cyber conspiracy. In the indictment, the three individuals, Masoud Jalili, Seyed Ali Aghamiri, and Yasser Balaghi, are identified as members of the IRGC. Prosecutors have stated that these three launched a large-scale hacking campaign aimed at current and former U.S. government officials, media members, NGOs, and individuals associated with political campaigns in the U.S. The 37-page indictment charges the three IRGC members with committing eighteen offenses, including identity theft and personal information theft, providing financial and logistical support to a terrorist organization, and conspiracy to hack. The filing of these charges indicates an escalation of U.S. efforts to counter 'Iran's meddlesome activities' in the U.S. presidential elections. The U.S. State Department has also added to these efforts by offering a $10 million reward for information about the three IRGC members. Concurrently, the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions on seven Iranians accused of involvement in the hacking campaign. U.S. officials had previously stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran aims to undermine Donald Trump's campaign in the current presidential election race. According to U.S. prosecutors, these three individuals, residing in Iran, began their hacking activities targeting American computers and stealing information in January 2020, over four and a half years ago.