The U.S. Justice Department has taken down several websites operated by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, accusing them of being part of a broader “psychological operations” campaign aimed at spreading terrorist propaganda and inciting violence.
The websites, which were used to post sensitive information and call for violent actions against journalists, dissidents, and Israelis, were seized on Thursday.
Iran’s Psychological Operations and Terrorist Propaganda
According to the Justice Department’s announcement, the seized websites were used to disseminate “sensitive data stolen during hacks” and promote violent rhetoric targeting perceived enemies of the Iranian government. The websites contained content that included calls for the assassination of journalists, regime dissidents, and Israeli citizens.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the dangers of such content, warning that “terrorist propaganda online can incite real-world violence.”
The FBI also weighed in on the matter, with Director Kash Patel declaring, “The FBI will hunt down every actor behind these cowardly death threats and cyberattacks and will bring the full force of American law enforcement down on them.”
Recent Acts of Terrorism Investigated in the U.S.
The seizures of Iranian-affiliated websites come at a time when the U.S. is grappling with increasing threats of terrorism. The Justice Department’s announcement was made just a week after two separate terrorist attacks in American cities, which are under investigation by federal authorities.
The first attack occurred at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, where a man with ties to ISIS opened fire, killing one person and injuring two others. The man was killed by students in the ROTC classroom where the shooting took place.
The second attack took place at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, Michigan. The suspect, who drove a truck into the synagogue before dying in a shootout with security, had been flagged in U.S. government databases for suspected connections to the militant group Hezbollah, though he was not considered a member.
Threats to Israeli and Iranian Targets
The seized websites were also found to have posted personal information on 190 Israeli government officials, including photos and names, along with threats of violence.
According to the Justice Department, the websites were involved in multiple cyberattacks, calls for assassinations, and threats targeting both Israeli citizens and individuals critical of the Iranian regime.
“Threat actors” associated with one of the websites directed online threats toward individuals who had publicly criticized the Iranian government, further exemplifying the role these sites played in spreading fear and terror.
The Justice Department stated that the ultimate goal of these campaigns was to stifle independent reporting while creating an atmosphere of fear among the Iranian diaspora.
Broader Implications for U.S. National Security
The seizure of these websites highlights the growing concern over the use of the internet for international terrorism and psychological warfare. The Justice Department’s actions aim to curb the flow of extremist content and prevent further harm to those targeted by such campaigns.
The involvement of state-sponsored actors, like Iran, in these online operations adds another layer of complexity to global cybersecurity and counterterrorism efforts.
