The Patriot Post® · Iran's Cyberattack on Albania: A Call for NATO's Response
Albania finds itself once again in the crosshairs of the Iranian regime’s cyber warfare, orchestrated by its hacking group, Homeland Justice. In recent days, critical institutions, including Albania’s Parliament, cellphone provider, and air flight company, have fallen victim to a series of cyberattacks, raising legitimate concerns over the security and sovereignty of this NATO member state. This distressing pattern is not new; Albania faced a major cyberattack in 2022 by the same hacker group, which targeted the country’s infrastructure.
The Iranian regime’s agenda is far from subtle, with explicit aims to eradicate the main Iranian opposition group, the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK), currently hosted by Albania. Last June, Albanian police raided Ashraf-3, where MEK members reside, based on false information provided by the Iranian regime and threats of further cyberattacks. Six months later, no evidence of any unlawful activities was found, debunking the disinformation spread by the Iranian regime.
Experience has shown that making concessions to the Iranian regime will only embolden further the use of such malign acts to pursue its objectives. There is a general consensus that the laws of armed conflict can apply to cyberattacks, particularly when executed in such a devastating manner. The systematic targeting of Albania by Tehran is a de facto declaration of war, one that can no longer be ignored. Article 5 of the NATO treaty commits each member state to consider any such attack against one member state as an attack against them all.
The recent cyberattacks and threats to impose restrictions on Iranian dissidents in Albania expose the Iranian regime’s sinister agenda. The demand to expel thousands of MEK members, coupled with the explicit threat to “return Albania to the Stone Age,” as advocated by the regime’s operatives on social media, are not only acts of intimidation but stark violations of the rights of Iranian refugees in Albania.
These actions carry broader implications, laying bare the Iranian regime’s strategy to suppress opposition voices and extend its influence globally. The regime’s malign activities transcend its cyberterrorism directed at a NATO member. Iran’s most destructive and destabilizing policy, executed through its proxies, involves fomenting war in the region, attacking shipping, and disrupting free trade in the Red Sea. Consequently, Iran remains the epicenter of terrorism, warmongering, and instability in the region. It is time for the international community to stand in solidarity with the Iranian people and the MEK resistance movement as they pursue change and strive to establish a free and democratic republic in Iran.
The regime’s relentless pursuit of cyberattacks against Albania not only highlights its disregard for international norms but also unveils a deep-seated fear of its principal opposition, the PMOI/MEK. The MEK represents a formidable force challenging the regime’s oppressive rule, prompting aggressive maneuvers beyond Iran’s borders. This desperation stems from the MEK’s undeniable popularity among the Iranian populace, posing a credible alternative to the regime’s tyranny.
By resorting to cyber warfare and intimidation outside its borders, the regime aims to suppress the MEK’s global activities and prevent the organization from garnering further support. This demonstrates not only the regime’s insecurity but also its recognition of the MEK’s potential to mobilize a widespread movement for change within Iran.
The international community must respond decisively to these aggressions. The European Union, the United States, and NATO must stand united against the Iranian regime’s violations of international norms. The Albanian government is urged to remain steadfast, upholding freedom, democracy, and human rights for Iranian dissidents in the country.
The recent cyberattacks on Albania serve as a wake-up call. The Iranian regime’s aggression poses a significant threat to global security. It is imperative for nations to unite, condemning such actions and holding the Iranian regime accountable. In conclusion, these cyberattacks and intimidation tactics are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of aggression. The international community, particularly NATO, must respond urgently to protect the sovereignty and security of nations targeted by such malicious actions. Albania, in the face of these threats, must stand firm, sending a clear message that coercion and intimidation will not be tolerated on the global stage.