Three Iranian men were indicted Friday in connection with a wide-reaching hacking scheme aimed at former President Donald Trump’s campaign, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The plot, which has been linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), involved multiple cyberattacks designed to steal and offer sensitive information to Trump's Democratic Party opponents, with the apparent aim of destabilizing the United States, as Fox News reports.

Authorities allege the hackers used sophisticated spearphishing and social engineering techniques to access protected computer systems tied to U.S. political campaigns, media, and other organizations. The three suspects -- Masoud Jalili, Seyyed Ali Aghamiri, and Yasar Balaghi -- face an extensive list of charges, including conspiracy to obtain information from a protected computer, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Cyberattacks Target Trump Campaign and U.S. Officials

The Department of Justice’s unsealed federal indictment details how the men allegedly engaged in a hacking campaign that targeted not only Trump’s campaign but also current and former U.S. government officials, journalists, and nonprofit organizations.

Law enforcement agencies have accused the hackers of attempting to steal and distribute sensitive information to disrupt the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

The hacking group reportedly tried to disseminate information they had gathered about the Trump campaign to individuals associated with the Biden campaign and media organizations. The Trump campaign has long been a target of Iranian cyberattacks since Trump authorized the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani in 2020, a key event that escalated tensions between the two countries.

Charges Filed Against Suspects Linked to Iran

The three men believed to be affiliated with Iran’s IRGC, are facing multiple federal charges. These include defrauding and obtaining information from a protected computer, committing wire fraud, identity theft, and falsifying authentication features while registering domains.

The suspects are accused of launching phishing attacks to deceive individuals into revealing sensitive login information, allowing them access to protected networks.

The indictment revealed that the hackers’ attempts to infiltrate various organizations and political entities went beyond just the Trump campaign. Their targets included prominent figures in media and U.S. government, emphasizing the scope of their alleged efforts to compromise national security.

Trump Campaign Briefed on Threats from Iran

In recent days, Trump has been briefed on specific and credible threats emanating from Iran. These threats reportedly include not only cyberattacks but also assassination plots targeting the former president.

The Trump campaign’s communications director, Steven Cheung, described the hacking plot and assassination threats as part of Iran’s broader campaign to sow discord and instability in the United States.

Cheung stated that the threats are part of a "broader effort" by Iran to disrupt the upcoming election. According to intelligence officials, coordinated cyberattacks against the U.S. have increased in frequency over the past several months, prompting a heightened response from law enforcement agencies to safeguard the election process.

Law Enforcement Steps Up Protection Amid Heightened Threats

The U.S. intelligence community has been closely monitoring these threats, which have grown in scale and sophistication. Officials are working in coordination with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of former President Trump and prevent any potential interference in the 2024 election.

Cheung emphasized that U.S. law enforcement is on high alert. "Intelligence officials have identified that these continued and coordinated attacks have heightened in the past few months, and law enforcement officials across all agencies are working to ensure President Trump is protected and the election is free from interference," he said.

Hacking Attempts Part of Broader Efforts to Destabilize U.S.

The Trump campaign has long asserted that Iran's actions -- both cyber and physical -- are part of an overarching strategy to destabilize the U.S. government and its institutions. This latest hacking plot is viewed as one component of Iran’s broader attempts to exert influence on American politics, particularly in the lead-up to the presidential election.

While Iran has not officially responded to the accusations, U.S. intelligence agencies have consistently highlighted the growing cyber threats posed by nation-states, with Iran being a key actor. The indictment against Jalili, Aghamiri, and Balaghi underscores the gravity of these concerns.

Focus Shifts to Election Security and Foreign Interference

As the 2024 election approaches, election security has become a major focus for U.S. officials. The Department of Justice and other federal agencies are taking steps to prevent foreign interference and ensure that the election remains secure from cyber threats.

The hacking case involving the three Iranian nationals is the latest in a series of incidents highlighting the vulnerability of political campaigns to foreign actors. Federal authorities have pledged to continue working closely with law enforcement to ensure that sensitive data remains protected.

The investigation into the Iranian hackers is ongoing, and it remains to be seen how deeply their actions may have impacted the Trump campaign or other political figures in the U.S. The DOJ's decision to indict the three men marks a significant development in the U.S.'s broader effort to combat foreign cyber threats.