WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Justice Department seized four internet domains linked to Iran that were used by an Iran-backed hacking group to claim responsibility for cyberattacks. The seized domains were Justicehomeland.org, Handala-Hack.to, Karmabelow80.org, and Handala-Redwanted.to.

The Iranian Intelligence and Security Ministry used the domains to claim credit for hacking and to post sensitive data, according to the Justice Department. Handala Team used the domain Handala-Hack.to to claim credit for a malware attack on a U.S. medical technology company.

Handala Team claimed on Telegram and X that it had orchestrated the hack of the American medical technology company. The group posted information about its hacking activities on both social media platforms. Telegram and X removed previous versions of Handala Team's accounts.

Two of the seized domains were used to claim that sensitive documents and data were stolen from the Albanian government. Handala Team also posted photos and details of roughly 190 people affiliated with the Israel Defense Forces or the Israeli government.

The hacking group harassed and sent death threats to Iranian dissidents and journalists in the U.S. and abroad. "The Iranian regime exploits cyberspace to advance authoritarian objectives, suppress democratic institutions, and undermine our national and economic security," said Jimmy Paul, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Baltimore. "The FBI will act swiftly, deliberately, and proactively to disable cyber threats to America."

An Iran-backed group claimed responsibility for hacking an American company, the first such claim since the start of the war. The domain seizures occurred as tensions escalated across the Middle East following military actions that began Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel began an air assault on Iran. Since then, Iran has used drones and missiles to retaliate against U.S. military bases, U.S. consulates, Israel, and other targets across the Middle East.

Over 2,000 people have been killed across the Middle East since the conflict began. According to the Iranian Red Crescent Society, more than 1,200 people have been killed in Iran by Israeli and American strikes, while at least 850 people have been killed in Lebanon and at least 13 people have been killed in Israel. Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed in the conflict, and two U.S. service members have died of noncombat causes. Deaths have been reported in Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia since the war began.