US Accuses Iran of Operating Hacktivist Group

The U.S. Justice Department has accused Iran's government of orchestrating the hacktivist group Handala, which claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on medical technology firm Stryker. The DOJ stated that Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) uses Handala for "psychological operations" and to claim credit for cyberattacks. This announcement coincided with the FBI seizing websites linked to Handala, used to publicize attacks and release personal information. The group claimed the Stryker breach was retaliation for a U.S. airstrike. Despite the seizures, Handala has reportedly established new domains, indicating ongoing operations.