US charges 17 Iranians over 'massive' cyber theft campaign

August 19, 2026

The US Department of Justice has charged seventeen Iranian nationals affiliated with the Mabna Institute for conducting a prolonged cyber espionage campaign targeting American institutions from approximately 2013 to 2017. The hackers allegedly stole over 31 terabytes of academic data and intellectual property valued at roughly $3. 4 billion from 144 US universities, 42 American companies, and various government agencies.

Who is affected

144 American universities and 178 international academic institutions
Approximately 8,000 professors whose email accounts were compromised (from 100,000 targeted academics globally)
42 US-based private sector companies
At least five US federal and state government agencies
11 foreign companies in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, and the UK
Seventeen Iranian nationals now facing criminal charges

What action is being taken

The US Department of Justice is charging seventeen Iranians with cyber crimes
The US is offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the location of five of the charged hackers

Why it matters

This case represents a serious threat to US national security, as described by FBI officials. The campaign demonstrates how cyber operations have become a central instrument of national power, with significant impacts on US security and the economy. The theft of $3.4 billion worth of academic data and intellectual property represents a massive loss of scientific research and innovation. The involvement of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps indicates this was a state-sponsored effort targeting critical US institutions, reflecting an organized attempt to systematically steal American intellectual resources.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC