Along with the charges, the Treasury Department designated the nine Iranians and the company they worked for, the Mabna Institute, for sanctions. Justice Department officials said the scheme was one of the biggest state-sponsored efforts they have ever taken on. Officials also stressed that the hacking was conducted at the behest of the Iranian government, and Mabna Institute functioned as a contractor for the Revolutionary Guard. "The IRGC plays a central role in Iran's maligned activities across the world, including fomenting terrorism," Mandelker said. Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein declined to provide details, but said the hacking "benefited" the Revolutionary Guard.

Source: CNN March 23, 2018 14:03 UTC