US Department of Homeland Security Warns of Possible Iranian Cyber Attacks

Iranian military official Soleimani killed in US airstrike
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jin-gyu Lee] The U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned on the 4th (local time) of a potential cyberattack from Iran.

According to reports from CNN and CBS, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf issued a new national terrorism alert system announcement on the same day.

This announcement came amid heightened tensions between the U.S. and Iran following the U.S. drone strike that killed Qasem Soleimani, a key figure in the Iranian military.

The announcement stated, "Iran possesses a powerful cyberattack program and may carry out cyberattacks against the United States." It also pointed out, "Iran has the capability to conduct cyberattacks that could disrupt critical U.S. infrastructure, at least in the short term."

Furthermore, it warned, "Iran is likely to consider terrorist activities as a means of deterrence or retaliation against its enemies," and "Violent extremists originating within the United States may exploit the heightened tensions to carry out individual attacks." However, it clarified, "At this time, there is no specific or credible information indicating a threat to the U.S. mainland."