Federal prosecutors will thwart Iran's attempt to undermine US democracy, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a press conference on Friday, in the wake of indictments against Iranian hackers who allegedly targeted Donald Trump's campaign.
The three defendants remain inside Iran and were acting on behalf of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the elite transnational military organization dedicated to confronting Israel and the United States.
"The operation targeted the email accounts of current and former American public officials, journalists and most recently, individuals associated with US political campaigns," Garland said, adding the justice department is dedicated to "countering the threat that Iran poses to our democracy."
"The defendants' own words make clear that they were attempting to undermine former President Trump's campaign in advance of the 2024 US presidential election."
Named as Masoud Jalili, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri and Yasar Balaghi, the men have little chance of being brought before a US court.
Jalili was among seven people targeted in new sanctions on Friday in a separate announcement by the US treasury department for similar allegations of interfering in the upcoming polls.
"Iranian state-sponsored actors undertook a variety of malicious cyber activities, such as hack-and-leak operations and spear-phishing, in an attempt to undermine confidence in the United States’ election" the treasury said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday told the United Nations General Assembly that Israel had the upper hand in a region-wide struggle with Iran and it was capable of striking anywhere in the Islamic Republic and the region.
"There is no place in Iran that the long arm of Israel cannot reach. And that's true of the entire Middle East. Far from being lambs led to the slaughter, Israel soldiers have fought back with incredible courage and with heroic sacrifice," Netanyahu said.
"We are winning," he added, after bombing attacks widely attributed to Israel and air strikes across Lebanon targeting Iran-backed Hezbollah killed over 600 people people.
Shortly after his speech, Israel launched its biggest air strike since a 2006 war on Beirut in what military officials said was an attack on Hezbollah's headquarters.
Netanyahu spoke in Biblical terms about the stakes for Israel in the region, between normalization agreements with moderate Arab states and more war with Iran and its armed allies.
"Moses told us that our actions will determine whether we bequeath to future generations a blessing or a curse, and that is the choice we face today, the curse of Iran's unremitting aggression, or the blessing of a historic reconciliation between Arab and Jews."
Netanyahu on Thursday appeared to brush off an initiative by the US and other world powers for a 21-day ceasefire between the Jewish state and Iran-backed Hezbollah, saying military operations would continue with "full force".
Top Israeli military commanders have mooted a possible ground invasion into Lebanon while Hezbollah and Iran have vowed to retaliate for Israeli attacks.
Netanyahu warned against allowing Iran a nuclear weapon - ambitions Iran denies - saying that while Israeli actions have delayed Iran's ability to build a bomb by a decade, they have not yet been stopped.
"Iran now seeks to weaponize its nuclear program... We must not let that happen," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu's comments come days after Iran's new President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking from the same rostrum at the UN General Assembly, expressed Tehran’s readiness to resume negotiations on a lapsed multilateral nuclear deal.
Earlier this month, Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), raised the alarm over Iran’s growing stockpile of uranium enriched to 20% and 60%, saying the country was closer to being able to produce nuclear weapons.
Netanyahu pointed to the Islamic Republic’s stifling of dissent, calling on the International community to end what he called global appeasement of Iran.
“For too long, the world has appeased Iran. It turns a blind eye to its internal repression. It turns a blind eye to its external progression. Well, that appeasement must end, and that appeasement must end now.”
The Islamic Republic has been criticized by rights groups for its continuing crackdown. These violations have escalated in the years since Iran’s 2022 Woman Life Freedom nationwide protests in which security forces killed at least 550 people and jailed tens of thousands.
Earlier this month, the UN's Fact-Finding Mission on Iran highlighted the Iranian authorities' escalating efforts to suppress the rights of women and girls.
“Meaningful accountability for gross human rights violations and crimes under international law, including crimes against humanity, remains elusive for victims and survivors," the mission wrote in a report.
US Presidential candidate Donald Trump on Thursday said Washington must come to an agreement with Iran, in a seeming departure from his hardline stance toward its main adversary in the Middle East.
Asked by reporters whether he might be receptive to reviving negotiations with the Islamic Republic over its disputed nuclear program, Trump said a deal was essential.
“Sure, I would do that,” Trump said. “We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal.”
Trump, a business mogul, has repeatedly expressed his preference for deals with Washington's opponents but his comments come as tensions in the Mideast have ramped up and his campaign said Iran has made threats on his life.
Earlier this week, Trump's campaign said US security agencies had briefed him on threats to the former president's life.
The Islamic Republic is outspoken in reviling Trump after he authorized the assassination of one of its top military commanders in Iraq in January 2020 and after his administration pulled out of an multilateral nuclear deal with Iran inked by his predecessor.
Trump said on Wednesday that the United States should threaten to bomb countries "to smithereens" which seek the assassination of US leaders in the wake of the alleged Iranian plot.
Concluding his three-day visit to New York, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian announced that discussions on the nuclear deal with European countries will be revisited soon.
"It was also decided to hold a meeting in Europe. We discussed the JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). We expressed our concerns to Europe, and it was agreed that the foreign ministers would review this matter again," Pezeshkian told domestic reporters at the Tehran airport on Thursday.
The Iranian President also took a moment to blame the US for "tearing up" the agreement -- claiming that most of the European leaders were "upset about it."
The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015 between Iran and world powers, sought to limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, in 2018, then-US President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement, citing concerns that it did not address Iran’s missile program.
Pezeshkian also appeared to emphasize the Iranian state's goal to "resolve" the nuclear issue through "dialogue."
Attempts to revive the deal over the years have seen indirect talks, with European diplomats often mediating between US and Iranian officials, though these efforts have largely failed.
In August, Iran’s Foreign Minister declared the JCPOA "beyond revival," stating, "Under the new government, our focus is not on restoring the nuclear deal but on lifting the sanctions."
Despite this, President Pezeshkian has shown a desire to re-engage with Western powers, pledging to work towards reviving the agreement and lifting the sanctions imposed following the US withdrawal. The country's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, opened the door to future talks in August.
In his first press conference in Tehran, Pezeshkian reiterated that Iran is not seeking nuclear weapons but is instead focused on fulfilling its scientific and technical needs. He stressed Iran’s continued adherence to the JCPOA framework, stating, "By tearing up the JCPOA, the West forced us into actions we did not intend to take. If they don't continue, we won’t either. If they uphold their commitments, we will fulfill ours as well." During his speech at the UN General Assembly (UNGA), Pezeshkian also expressed Tehran's readiness to negotiate with JCPOA partners.
However, doubts remain over the future of the deal. French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday that he does not believe any new proposals can revive the nuclear agreement in the near future.
Speaking on France Inter radio, Macron cautioned, "I would still be very cautious. I don't think there will be new proposals right now to save the nuclear deal." He added that the political situation in Iran, where widespread protests have erupted, has "changed the situation a lot" and further weakened the chances of reaching a new agreement.
Western powers have also expressed concerns over uranium traces found at three sites in Iran. Last week, they stressed that it is "essential and urgent" for Iran to provide explanations. Iran has agreed to a visit from the UN nuclear watchdog this month to address these concerns. However, another unresolved issue involves Iran’s refusal to allow several UN inspectors access to its nuclear sites.
In June, the IAEA’s 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution calling on Iran to increase cooperation and reverse its barring of these inspectors, technically referred to as "de-designation." Despite this, Rafael Grossi, head of the IAEA, confirmed in a recent interview that Iran’s government has refused to lift the ban. "They won’t do that," Grossi said. "As I said to one of your colleagues, that ship has sailed."
Meanwhile, in July, the White House National Security Council spokesperson indicated that the Biden administration is not prepared to resume nuclear negotiations with Iran under its new administration.
In an interview with Tehan-based Entekhab, international relations expert Rahman Ghahramanpour expressed a nuanced view on the prospects of negotiations with the US. He noted, "At present, the chances of open, direct, and comprehensive negotiations with the US are slim, but this does not mean that negotiations will not occur." Ghahramanpour further remarked that both sides seem to have agreed to engage in discussions on the nuclear issue at a lower level, with hopes of a more favorable environment emerging after the US presidential elections.
He also suggested that the resumption of talks with Europe will likely be approached with "medium priority," citing the fact that Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi is leading the upcoming meeting with France.
Yemen's Houthi group has grown into a "powerful military organization" due to significant support from Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hezbollah, and Iraqi experts, according to a confidential UN report seen by Reuters.
The report indicates that foreign military aid has significantly enhanced the Houthis' capabilities, allowing them to play a more prominent role in regional conflicts.
Independent UN experts, who report annually to the UN Security Council, observed that Houthi fighters have received advanced tactical and technical training outside of Yemen.
Houthi operatives, using fake passports, have traveled to Iran, Lebanon, and Iraq to hone their military skills. These efforts have enabled the group to execute more complex operations, such as drone and missile strikes in key areas like the Red Sea.
On Tuesday, Reuters also reported that Iran has been assisting in organizing secret talks between Russia and Yemen’s Houthi militia. The aim is for Russia to supply the group with advanced anti-ship missiles. Two regional officials confirmed that representatives of the Houthis and Russia have met in Tehran at least twice this year to discuss these missile deliveries.
Despite a UN arms embargo on the Houthis since 2015, the report emphasized the significant amount of foreign assistance they continue to receive.
"Multiple testimonies from military experts, Yemeni officials, and individuals close to the Houthis indicate they lack the capability to develop and produce complex weapon systems independently," the UN experts wrote.
"The scale, nature, and extent of the military equipment and technology being transferred to the Houthis from outside sources, along with financial support and training, is unprecedented."
The report also noted that the weapons used by the Houthis resemble those produced by Iran or members of the so-called Axis of Resistance, a coalition of Tehran-backed organizations opposed to Israeli and US influence in the Middle East.
This transformation is largely attributed to the support of the IRGC-QF (Quds Force), Hezbollah, and Iraqi experts, who have provided the Houthis with training and material assistance.
The conflict in Yemen has become a central issue in the broader regional crisis. As the war in Gaza continues, the Houthis have intensified their blockade of the Red Sea, targeting commercial vessels under orders from Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
What began in the Red Sea has now spread to the Arabian Sea. These attacks have severely disrupted global shipping and led to the capture of several foreign sailors uninvolved in the Israel conflict.
In response, a US-led coalition of over 20 nations has mobilized to protect global trade routes and ensure the safety of maritime traffic in these crucial areas.
Iran’s influence in the region extends beyond Yemen. In early September, the Houthis launched a missile into central Israel for the first time, striking an area near Ben Gurion International Airport.
The attack, which the Houthis claimed involved a hypersonic missile, caused no injuries but marked a serious escalation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would impose a "heavy price" on the Houthis.
Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his first press conference since his election, denied that Tehran has supplied hypersonic missiles to the Houthis or short-range ballistic missiles to Russia, reiterating Iran’s position that it does not provide direct military support to the group.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock urged the Iranian state to end its support for Russia in the Ukraine war and stop exporting weapons during talks with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday.
In a meeting held on the sidelines of the United Nations Security Council in New York, Germany’s top diplomat called on Tehran to stop exporting ballistic missiles and drones.
In a statement on its X account, the German Foreign Ministry also noted that the discussions with Araghchi addressed "concerns about the Iranian nuclear program and Germans imprisoned in Iran."
The same day, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong posted a picture of her meeting with Araghchi, saying she had raised concerns about “human rights and Iranian-Russian military cooperation.”
These diplomatic talks come as the US and the UK formally accused Iran earlier this month of supplying short-range ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine, leading to a fresh wave of sanctions on both Moscow and Tehran.
The European Union has similarly imposed sanctions on Iran over its missile transfers, in addition to those already in place due to Tehran's nuclear activities and human rights abuses.
“We call on Iran to immediately cease all support to Russia’s war against Ukraine and halt the development and transfer of its ballistic missiles,” France, Germany, and the UK said in a joint statement. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment, warning that Iran’s actions represented a "profound escalation" of the war.
Blinken revealed that dozens of Russian military personnel had been trained in Iran to operate the Fath-360 close-range ballistic missile system, which has a range of up to 120 kilometers (75 miles).
"Russia has now received shipments of these ballistic missiles and will likely use them within weeks in Ukraine, against Ukrainians," Blinken said in early September, emphasizing that the supply of Iranian missiles allows Russia to target more distant locations while conserving its own arsenal for frontline engagements.
Iran has previously supplied Shahed drones, widely used by Russia in Ukraine, but has denied providing ballistic missiles.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani dismissed reports of missile transfers as "ugly propaganda" meant to distract from Western military aid to Israel.
A Russian cargo ship, suspected of carrying Iranian ballistic missiles intended for Moscow's war against Ukraine, was observed at a Russian port on the Caspian Sea about two weeks ago, according to satellite imagery shared with CNN.
Additionally, Russia has used Iranian Shahed drones, extensively in large-scale attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure and civilian targets, often in combination with cruise and ballistic missiles, which have overwhelmed Ukraine’s air defenses.
Iran’s Foreign Minister, meanwhile, denied the assertions, accusing Western nations of acting on "faulty intelligence and flawed logic."
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in his first press conference, also denied any involvement in missile deliveries to Russia.
Responding to a question from a Japanese journalist, Pezeshkian said, "As for the relationship between the Islamic Republic and Russia, I can say with certainty that since we took office, we have not provided them with anything."
While Pezeshkian expressed no knowledge of missile transfers under his predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi, or previous administrations, he affirmed, "We have and will continue to have relations with Russia."