US offers $10 million reward for intel on Iranian state-linked cyber operators

The United States is offering up to $10 million for information on individuals linked to Iranian state-directed cyber operations targeting critical American infrastructure, the Rewards for Justice program announced on Wednesday.

The reward applies to anyone who, under the direction or control of a foreign government, participates in malicious cyber activity against US critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.

US officials say the network at the center of these operations is Shahid Shushtari, a cyber organization operating under Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cyber-Electronic Command (IRGC-CEC). The group has used multiple aliases, including Aria Sepehr Ayandehsazan (ASA), Ayandeh Sazan Sepehr Arya (ASSA), Emennet Pasargad, Eeleyanet Gostar, and Net Peygard Samavat Company.

According to the statement, Shahid Shushtari has caused major financial damage and operational disruption to US businesses and government agencies through coordinated cyberattacks and cyber-enabled information operations. Their campaigns have targeted critical sectors such as news media, shipping, travel, energy, finance, and telecommunications across the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

The group is overseen by Mohammad Bagher Shirinkar, while Fatemeh Sedighian Kashi is described as a long-time employee closely involved in planning and conducting operations. The two maintain a “close relationship” and work in tandem on cyber activities, according to US authorities.

Shahid Shushtari was behind a multi-faceted cyber campaign during the 2020 US presidential election, which included cyber-enabled information operations and false-flag activity. This followed a series of earlier operations using similar tactics to influence public opinion and disrupt systems.

In November 2021, the US Treasury Department designated the group – then known as Emennet – along with six of its employees under Executive Order 13848 for attempting to interfere in the 2020 election. Rewards for Justice simultaneously spotlighted cyber actors Seyyed Mohammad Hosein Musa Kazemi and Sajjad Kashian for their roles in those attempted foreign interference activities.