Iranian flag is seen at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as Albania cuts ties with Iran and orders diplomats to leave over cyberattack, in Tirana, Albania, September 8, 2022. (Florion Goga/Reuters)
WASHINGTON — The United States imposed sanctions on Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security and its minister on Friday, accusing them of being tied to a July cyberattack on Albania and engaging in cyber activities against the United States and its allies.
Here's what we know:
• The move comes after Albania severed diplomatic relations with Iran on Wednesday following a July cyberattack it blamed on Iran. The country ordered Iranian diplomats and embassy staff to leave within 24 hours.
• The US Treasury Department in a statement said the Ministry of Intelligence and Security directs several networks of cyber threat actors, including those involved in cyber espionage and ransomware attacks in support of Iran.