logo
Iranians targeted with spyware in lead-up to war with Israel: Research

Iranians targeted with spyware in lead-up to war with Israel: Research

Straits Times3 days ago
Find out what's new on ST website and app.
According to new research, more than a dozen Iranians' mobile phones were targeted with spyware in the months prior to the country's war with Israel.
TEXAS – More than a dozen Iranians' mobile phones were targeted with spyware in the months prior to the country's war with Israel, according to new research.
Miaan Group, a digital human rights organisation based in Austin, Texas, found a number of Iranians who received threat notifications from Apple Inc. in the first half of 2025, and researchers believe they only identified a fraction of the total targets.
Another round of Iranian spyware targets was discovered by Mr Hamid Kashfi , a Sweden-based cybersecurity researcher and founder of the firm DarkCell.
The attacks mark the first known example of such highly advanced cyber-espionage tools being used both inside Iran and against Iranians living abroad. It's not clear who was behind the attacks.
Miaan Group said the victims included two Iranian dissidents inside the country and a technology worker who is an Iranian citizen living in Europe, who were targeted with spyware on their iPhones.
They were first notified of the incident via text message by Apple, which typically sends a threat notification message to victims when a hack is detected.
Mr Kashfi said he found 12 victims, all inside Iran and working either in the country's technology sector or for the government. Both Mr Kashfi and the Miaan Group declined to name the victims in order to protect their safety.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking
Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt
Asia Malaysian aide's unresolved 2009 death tests govt's reform pledge despite DAP chief's apology
Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments
Singapore Singapore not affected by haze despite smoke plumes in Sumatra: NEA
Singapore Miscalculation of MOH subsidies and grants led to $7m in overpayments, $2m in shortfalls
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
The threat notifications, which were seen by Bloomberg, describe the attacks as 'exceptionally rare' and costing 'millions of dollars'.
The Apple notification, which is careful to note that the company doesn't attribute the attacks, compared the sophistication and cost of the recent attacks to Pegasus spyware from NSO Group.
'The extreme cost, sophistication and worldwide nature makes mercenary spyware attacks some of the most advanced digital threads in existence today,' Apple told the Iranian targets.
'This attack is likely targeting you specifically because of who you are or what you do.'
Apple didn't respond to a Bloomberg request for comment. The notification added that 'Apple has high confidence in this warning.'
Mr Kashfi said his investigation concluded that 'zero-day zero-click' attacks were likely used. That approach exploits hidden vulnerabilities and require no interaction from the victim.
'Zero-click chains are more sophisticated, more expensive, one stage higher than typical hacking campaigns,' Mr Kashfi said. 'But they weren't shy about using it and burning it.'
Neither Mr Kashfi nor the Miaan Group were able to do full forensic examinations of the targeted iPhones.
In several cases, being inside Iran made examinations impossible. In others, victims only came forward months after the notification.
Finally, other targets chose to take their targeted iPhones to be examined by the Iranian government security services rather than independent experts living abroad, Mr Kashfi said. BLOOMBERG
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Iran says it held ‘frank' nuclear talks with European powers
Iran says it held ‘frank' nuclear talks with European powers

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Iran says it held ‘frank' nuclear talks with European powers

Find out what's new on ST website and app. A European delegation leaving the Iranian Consulate in Istanbul, following nuclear talks on July 25. ISTANBUL - Iranian diplomats said they held 'frank and detailed' nuclear talks on July 25 with counterparts from Germany, Britain and France, who have threatened to trigger sanctions if Tehran fails to agree a deal on uranium enrichment and cooperation with UN inspectors. The meeting in Istanbul was the first since Israel launched an attack on Iran in June targeting key nuclear and military sites, sparking a 12-day war and leading Tehran to pull away from working with the UN watchdog. The European diplomats were seen leaving the Iranian consulate shortly before 1100 GMT (7pm in Singapore) after spending several hours inside. Israel's offensive – which killed top commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of others and in which residential areas and military sites were struck – also derailed US-Iran nuclear talks that began in April. Since then, the European powers, known as the E3, have threatened to trigger a so-called 'snapback mechanism' under a moribund 2015 nuclear deal that would reinstate UN sanctions on Iran by the end of August. The sanctions trigger expires in October, and Tehran has warned of consequences should the E3 opt to activate it. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr Kazem Gharibabadi, who attended the talks alongside senior Iranian diplomat Majid Mr Takht-Ravanchi, wrote on X that he had used the meeting to criticise the European stance on the 12-day conflict with Israel. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore S'pore could have nuclear energy 'within a few years', if it decides on it: UN nuclear watchdog chief Life 'Do you kill children?': Even before independence, S'pore has always loved its over-the-top campaigns Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly He said the snapback mechanism had also been discussed, adding: 'It was agreed that consultations on this matter will continue.' Mr Takht-Ravanchi told state news agency IRNA the Iranian side had demanded 'punitive sanctions' be lifted 'as soon as possible'. Before the talks, a European source said the three countries were preparing to trigger the mechanism 'in the absence of a negotiated solution'. The source urged Iran to make 'clear gestures' on uranium enrichment and resuming cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog. 'Common ground' Mr Gharibabadi warned earlier in the week that triggering sanctions – which would deepen Iran's international isolation and place further pressure on its already strained economy – would be 'completely illegal'. He accused European powers of 'halting their commitments' under the 2015 deal, which the United States unilaterally withdrew from in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term. 'We have warned them of the risks, but we are still seeking common ground to manage the situation,' said Mr Gharibabadi. Iranian diplomats have previously warned that Tehran could withdraw from the global nuclear non-proliferation treaty if sanctions were reimposed. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has urged European powers to trigger the mechanism. Israel's June 13 attack on Iran came two days before Tehran and Washington were scheduled to meet for a sixth round of nuclear negotiations. On June 22, the US joined Israel's offensive by striking Iranian nuclear facilities at Fordo, Isfahan, and Natanz. Before the war, the US and Iran were divided over uranium enrichment – with Tehran describing it as a 'non-negotiable' right, while Washington called it a 'red line'. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says Iran is enriching uranium to 60 per cent purity – far above the 3.67 per cent cap under the 2015 deal and close to weapons-grade levels. Tehran has said it is open to discussing the rate and level of enrichment, but not the right to enrich uranium. A year after the US withdrew from the nuclear deal, Iran began rolling back its commitments, which had placed restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Israel and Western powers accuse Iran of pursuing nuclear weapons, a charge Tehran has repeatedly denied. 'New form' Iran insists it will not abandon its nuclear programme, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi describing the position as 'unshakable'. Though he claimed enrichment had come to a halt because of 'serious and severe' damage to nuclear sites caused by US and Israeli strikes, the full extent of the damage sustained in the US bombing remains unclear. Mr Trump claimed at the time the sites had been 'completely destroyed', but US media reports based on Pentagon assessments cast doubt on the scale of destruction . Since the 12-day war, Iran has suspended cooperation with the IAEA, accusing it of bias and failing to condemn the attacks. Inspectors have since left the country but a technical team is expected to return in the coming weeks after Iran said future cooperation would take a 'new form'. Israel has warned it may resume strikes if Iran rebuilds facilities or moves toward weapons capability. Iran has pledged a 'harsh response' to any future attacks. AFP

Iran lawmaker points to threat of regional insecurity if UN sanctions are reimposed
Iran lawmaker points to threat of regional insecurity if UN sanctions are reimposed

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Iran lawmaker points to threat of regional insecurity if UN sanctions are reimposed

Iranian deputy foreign ministers and British, French and German diplomats are expected to meet in Istanbul on July 25. – Iran could withhold security commitments if European states invoke a UN mechanism to reimpose international sanctions on the Islamic republic, a member of Iran's parliamentary national security commission said on July 21, according to Borna news. 'We have many tools... We can withhold our commitment to security in the region, Persian Gulf and Hormuz Strait, as well as other maritime areas,' Mr Abbas Moqtadaei said in reference to Tehran's potential countermeasures to the reimposition of international sanctions. He was speaking ahead of a meeting on July 25 between Iranian deputy foreign ministers and British, French and German diplomats in Istanbul. The three European states, known as E3, have said they would restore international sanctions on Iran by the end of August if it did not enter productive talks on its nuclear programme with Western powers, notably the US. E3 countries and Iran have in recent months held inconclusive talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, in parallel with indirect nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Israel's attack on Iran in June led to the suspension of such talks. 'Europe is not in a position to endanger itself in the... Hormuz Strait when it is itself in political, economic and cultural conflicts with Russia, China and even the United States,' Mr Moqtadaei said in an interview with Iran's semi-official Borna news agency. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Singapore S'pore could have nuclear energy 'within a few years', if it decides on it: UN nuclear watchdog chief Life 'Do you kill children?': Even before independence, S'pore has always loved its over-the-top campaigns Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Last week, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Tehran would react if the three European states invoked the UN snapback mechanism, which expires on Oct 18. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on July 20 that the E3 lack the legal standing to invoke the mechanism, arguing that their stance on Israeli and US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in June made them no longer participants in a 2015 nuclear deal to which the snapback mechanism is linked. The three European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to the nuclear pact – from which the US withdrew in 2018 – that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme. In the past, Iran has used the threat of disrupting maritime transit in the Strait of Hormuz or no longer stopping Europe-bound drug trafficking as a means to push back against Western pressures on its nuclear programme. REUTERS

Liverpool CEO says player spree should quell ownership gossip
Liverpool CEO says player spree should quell ownership gossip

Straits Times

time8 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Liverpool CEO says player spree should quell ownership gossip

Find out what's new on ST website and app. Billy Hogan said he expects the broadcast rights of English football to shift ever closer to the more commercially lucrative video-streaming platforms. LONDON – Liverpool owner Fenway Sports Group remains committed to the team long term, the club's chief executive Billy Hogan said, adding that its multi-million pound spending spree over the summer should put speculation about its future ownership to bed. 'There is absolute commitment from ownership,' Hogan said in an interview with Bloomberg. He noted that John Henry, who leads Fenway Sports, has said the group has been acquiring more teams and properties 'than we are selling and exiting'. In 2023, Fenway Sports sold a minority stake in Liverpool to New York-based private equity firm Dynasty Equity in exchange for up to US$200 million of fresh investment. Speculation around suitors over the years has ranged from Qatar to the world's richest person, Elon Musk, and Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani. But in August, the Reds will commence its defense of the Premier League after spending big on a series of players this summer, including a reported £116 million for German attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz and £79 million for French striker Hugo Ekitike. The club will be hoping its on-the-field success can translate into further commercial gains. The 20-time winner of England's top-flight football championship will wear a new playing kit at the start of next month after signing a lucrative deal with Adidas AG, reported to be worth £60 million a year. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT to pay lower fine of $2.4m for EWL disruption; must invest at least $600k to boost reliability Singapore MRT service changes needed to modify 3 East-West Line stations on Changi Airport stretch: LTA Asia Live: Thailand-Cambodia border clashes continue for second day Singapore Lung damage, poor brain development, addiction: What vaping does to the body Singapore Work to build bridge linking Marina Centre and Gardens by the Bay to start in Q1 2026 Singapore Fine for couple whose catering companies owed $432,000 in salaries to 103 employees Singapore Tipsy Collective sues former directors, HR head; alleges $14m lost from misconduct, poor decisions Singapore Kopi, care and conversation: How this 20-year-old helps improve the well-being of the elderly Hogan said the kit deal will be a 10-year partnership. The German sportswear giant joins top commercial partners including Standard Chartered Plc, Japan Airlines Co. and insurer Axa SA. Liverpool is also set to open its 20th dedicated football store, in Hong Kong, and is mulling one in Japan. Hogan took the reins of Liverpool in 2020 after being parachuted in from Fenway Sports, which also owns the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Penguins. Founded in 2001 by Henry and Tom Werner, it bought Liverpool FC for £300 million in 2010. The club was valued at £5 billion in 2024, prior to its latest league win. Hogan also said he expects the broadcast rights of English football, which is controlled by the game's regulator the Premier League, to shift ever closer to the more commercially lucrative video-streaming platforms. 'We're in an evolving media market, clearly,' said Hogan. Deep-pocketed players like Netflix Inc., Amazon Prime or the more sports-focused DAZN Group Ltd. would be the likeliest candidates to cash-in on the global popularity of English football. The Len Blavatnik-owned DAZN spent US$1 billion for the exclusive rights to the controversial Club World Cup recently. Netflix has also grown increasingly fond of sports-based content, as evidenced by the hit documentary Formula 1: Drive to Survive. BLOOMBERG

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store