While not the first such punishments imposed on Iran for malicious cyber acts, the new measures address more extensive Iranian efforts than previously alleged. [Read the indictment against Iranian hackers]Nine of 10 named individuals were connected to the Mabna Institute, a Shiraz-based tech firm that the Justice Department alleged hacks on behalf of Iranian universities and the IRGC. “Iran is engaged in an ongoing campaign of malicious cyber activity against the United States and our allies,” said Sigal Mandelker, the Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence. The sanctions block any transactions with those named and freeze any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction. Officials say targets have occasionally slipped up and flown to countries with extradition treaties with the United States.

Source: Washington Post March 23, 2018 14:06 UTC