Statement On Recent Cyber Attacks Targeting UANI

Iranian Government Cyberwarfare Group APT35 (Also Known As Charming Kitten) Suspected In Attacks

(New York, N.Y.) — United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI) released the following statement today regarding the suspected culpability of Iranian agents in a targeted cyberattack against the organization. The attack began following a Google security alert concerning threats originating in Iran. Discussing the attack, UANI CEO Ambassador Mark D. Wallace said:

“UANI suspects that APT35, also known as Charming Kitten, has launched a series of cyberattacks against UANI, specifically targeting its leadership and members of its Advisory Board. Since 2017, APT35 has targeted high-value accounts in government, academia, journalism, NGOs, foreign policy, and national security. 

“Those responsible managed to procure data outside of the public realm, impersonated our leadership in communications with former senior officials of the U.S. government, and attempted to harvest Gmail credentials. Separately, the group impersonated conference officials and attempted to lure UANI leadership to respond and click phishing links. UANI took immediate action upon discovering these attacks against us and has notified the relevant law enforcement authorities to request a criminal investigation. The Iranian regime has a long history of cyber attacks against the U.S., including its armed forces, as well as private companies and non-governmental organizations like UANI. Stronger action is needed to deter the regime. 

“UANI urges the authorities to investigate these attacks and for the U.S. to enhance its cyber security cooperation with its friends and allies. UANI further urges the Biden Administration to impose fresh economic sanctions against those responsible. 

“There is nothing that the Iranian regime can do to deter UANI from achieving its goal of ensuring the regime fails in its pursuit of nuclear weapons, ends its support for terrorism, and stops its oppression of the Iranian people.”

###