US Justice Department Seizes Iranian-Linked Websites Spreading Terror Propaganda

U.S. Justice Department Seizes Iranian “Psychological Operations” Websites

The U.S. Department of Justice took action Thursday to dismantle several websites allegedly operated by Iran as part of “psychological operations” targeting perceived opponents and disseminating terrorist propaganda.

According to a statement released Friday by the State Department, the seized websites were linked to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Officials claim these platforms published stolen confidential data and contained explicit calls for violence against journalists, regime critics, and Israeli citizens.

“Online terrorist propaganda can provoke violence in the real world,” warned Attorney General Pem Bondi in the announcement.

FBI Director Kash Patel issued a stern warning following the seizures: “The FBI will hunt down every participant in these cowardly death threats and cyberattacks and will deploy the full spectrum of U.S. law enforcement powers against them.”

The timing of these seizures comes amid heightened concerns about terrorism on American soil. Just one week earlier, separate attacks targeted American facilities in two different cities. At Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, a gunman—later identified as a convicted ISIS supporter—killed one person and wounded two others before being subdued by ROTC students. In West Bloomfield Township, Michigan, an attack at Temple Israel involved a suspect with reported connections to individuals associated with Hezbollah, though officials believe the attacker himself was not a member.

Justice Department officials revealed the seized websites contained photos, names, and confidential information about 190 Israeli government officials, accompanied by explicit threats. The platforms allegedly participated in various hacker operations and promoted violence against targets both in Israel and Iran.

“The perpetrators linked to one of the sites directed online threats at individuals who publicly criticized the Iranian government,” the Justice Department stated. The campaigns were designed to “prevent independent reporting” and “create fear among members of the Iranian diaspora who criticize the regime.”

The operation highlights the growing concern about state-sponsored digital information warfare. Cybersecurity experts point out that Iran has increasingly turned to digital platforms to extend its influence and target critics abroad, part of a broader trend of authoritarian governments weaponizing the internet to silence opposition.

Dr. Elena Markova, a specialist in digital security at Georgetown University, explained the significance of such operations to reporters following the announcement. “What we’re witnessing is the evolution of state-sponsored intimidation tactics. These websites serve as both propaganda tools and mechanisms for coordinating harassment against critics and dissidents living abroad.”

The seized websites represent just one facet of Iran’s broader cyber operations. In recent years, U.S. intelligence agencies have reported an uptick in Iranian hacking attempts targeting government institutions, critical infrastructure, and private businesses across multiple countries.

For the Iranian diaspora, particularly those who speak out against the regime, these online threats can have profound real-world consequences. Many report self-censorship or fear of reprisals against family members still in Iran.

The DOJ investigation revealed sophisticated tactics employed by the operators of these websites, including the strategic release of personal information—a practice known as doxxing—to make targets vulnerable to physical attacks or harassment.

The seizures come amid already strained U.S.-Iran relations and escalating tensions in the Middle East. While the immediate impact involves disrupting specific threat vectors, cybersecurity experts caution that Iran likely maintains numerous other digital channels for similar operations.

Federal authorities continue to monitor for replacement websites and have urged individuals who believe they may have been targeted to contact the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.