Tehran claims Tirana is the victim of a Washington plot to further damage already-strained diplomatic relations.
Iran, Tehran – Albania severed diplomatic relations with Iran, expelled its diplomats and fired their diplomats in protest at a cyberattack that Tehran accused it of launching. The United States supported the Balkan state.
Iran assured Albania and the United Nations that it wasn’t involved. However, a restoration of relations that had been strained by Albania hosting a group Tehran considers “terrorist”, seems unlikely for at least the near future.
Washington has been accused by Tehran of igniting conflict.
This is all you need to know about cyberattacks and the people involved.
How was the cyberattack affecting Albania?
* Cyberattack occurred on July 15, temporarily closing down many websites and services of the Albanian government.
* The Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama stated earlier this month that the Eastern European nation was determined by “undeniable proof” that it was an “state aggression” perpetrated by four groups backed by Iran.
* The Albanian government officially gave Iranian Embassy staff in Tirana, which includes security personnel, 24 hours to leave.
What was the US’s support for Albania?
* The US government quickly backed NATO ally Albania with words, and even actions.
Washington has imposed sanctions against Iran’s intelligence ministry and Esmail Khatib for “malign cyber activity”.
* These sanctions are symbolic because Khatib or the ministry do not appear to have assets that could be frozen in the USA and they are unlikely to engage in direct business with American citizens. Both were previously sanctioned under other designations.
* Washington also placed several companies on blacklist for allegedly transporting Iranian drones from Russia to produce and transport them. The US claims that these drones will be used in the Ukraine conflict.
* This is despite Washington and Tehran’s attempts since April 2021, to restore their 2015 nuclear agreement. The deal was abandoned by the US in 2018. It was followed by all-encompassing sanctions.
What did Iran do?
* Iran’s mission at the UN and its foreign minister denied the “baseless” claims. They claimed that Tehran was falsely accused of having mounted the cyberattack.
* Iran’s mission stated that the Albanian police entered the Iranian Embassy in Tirana. This was a violation of international law, which Tehran claimed violated consular relations.
* Saturday’s statement by the Iranian foreign ministry said that Albania had been “victim of a Washington-designed scenario against Iran.”
* According to the foreign ministry, the US supported and cyber-trained a terrorist group that acts as a tool for the US in carrying out terrorist attacks, cyberattacks, and psychological warfare against the Iranian government and nation.
Who are the terrorists?
* Iran claims that the US participated in an attack on Iranian soil during 1980’s Iran-Iraq War. Tehran considers this a terrorist organization.
* Iran claims that MEK is responsible in the deaths of over 17,000 Iranians. It has also blacklisted many US officials for their support of the group calling for the overthrow of the Iranian regime.
* MEK has been largely based in Albania with US coordination and support. This presence has contributed for many years to the deterioration of relations between Iran’s host countries and Iran.
* MEK was also deemed a terrorist group by the US, the European Union, but was removed from the list more than a decade back after it renounced violence.
Kundan Goyal has 6+ years of experience in news editing and market research. He has helped businesses of all sizes make strategic decisions and predict future trends. Kundan only publishes content that will help them grow their sales and revenue. He publishes business news in many different categories to help industry’s learn more about any product.In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and listening music .
