Russia-linked hackers hit European, Iranian government targets

A Russian-linked hacking group has conducted espionage operations targeting government and military entities across Europe, as well as Iranian embassies in Russia.

The hackers, known as TAG-70, aimed to gather intelligence on European political and military activities, with potential aims to "to gain strategic advantages or undermine European security and alliances," researchers from Recorded Future’s Insikt Group revealed, according to Iran International. 

The investigation was made public at the Munich Security Conference where the world's leaders in the field put Russia high on the agenda, along with Iran, as global threats, despite their absence for the second consecutive year, shunned on the world stage.

Most of the victims were located in Georgia, Poland, and Ukraine. Additionally, the targeting of Iranian embassies in Russia and the Netherlands suggests a motive to assess Iran's diplomatic activities and foreign policy, particularly as Russia maintains reliance on Iranian-provided weapons in Ukraine, as per the report's analysis.

The cyber assault on the Islamic Republic's embassies by Russian hackers coincides ironically with Iran's parliamentary approval of a bill in December aimed at enhancing cooperation with Russia in information security.

The bill, implementing an agreement signed three years ago by former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, received parliamentary consent.

Comprising nine articles, it emphasizes combating cyber threats, strengthening information security measures, and fostering collaboration between Iran and Russia. Notably, the legislation includes provisions for the exchange of information and cooperation in prosecuting criminal offences between the two nations.