Security News > 2021 > June > Iran Media Websites Seized by U.S. in Disinformation Campaign

The Department of Justice has seized the domains of 36 Iranian media sites that officials say weren't just operating in violation of sanctions, but were part of a widespread government-backed malign-influence operation targeting the U.S. The DoJ said that 33 of the sites are run by the Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union, which is allegedly under the control of the sanctioned Islamic Revolutionary Guard Quds Force.

Three additional sites taken down were allegedly controlled by Kata'ib Hizballah, which has been designated an Iraqi terrorist group by the U.S. government.

"Components of the government of Iran, to include IRTVU and others like it, disguised as news organizations or media outlets, targeted the United States with disinformation campaigns and malign-influence operations," the DoJ said in its announcement.

One of the seized sites, PressTV, still displays the seizure notice.

Analysts at RiskIQ identified 24 seized sites sharing the same Amazon server, according to the AP, which added that the domain was shifted to an Amazon name server on Tuesday afternoon in Europe.

The U.S. has seized Iranian media sites before, accusing them of disinformation and distributing propaganda on the government's behalf.

News URL

https://threatpost.com/iran-media-websites-seized-disinformation/167198/