{"id":2581926,"date":"2026-03-19T20:24:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T00:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-seizes-domains-pushing-iranian-terrorist-propaganda-psyops\/"},"modified":"2026-03-19T20:26:50","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T00:26:50","slug":"doj-seizes-domains-pushing-iranian-terrorist-propaganda-psyops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-seizes-domains-pushing-iranian-terrorist-propaganda-psyops\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ seizes domains pushing Iranian \u2018terrorist propaganda\u2019 psyops"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-seizes-domains-pushing-iranian-terrorist-propaganda-psyops%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2581926&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The U.S. Department of Justice said it seized four Iranian-operated domains used too spread government-backed propaganda and disinformation in the United States, as part of efforts to disrupt Tehran\u2019s cyber-enabled psychological operations. The sites &#8211; Justicehomeland.org,Handala-Hack.to, Karmabelow80.org, and Handala-Redwanted.to &#8211; where run by individuals tied to Iran\u2019s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and posed as self-reliant outlets while pushing messaging favorable to the Iranian government, including content to inflame political divisions and undermine confidence in U.S. institutions. The domains are now offline and display FBI seizure notices. DOJ officials characterized the action as part of a broader campaign to counter Tehran\u2019s cyber tools that influence public opinion abroad, especially during periods of heightened geopolitical tension. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said the sites were used to dox and harrass dissidents and journalists,incite violence against Jewish communities,and spread anti-American propaganda. The takedown follows a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dhs-looks-to-investigate-chinese-hack-of-trump-and-harris-campaigns-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"DHS looks to investigate Chinese hack of Trump and Harris campaigns ... Washington Examiner\">cyber incident involving<\/a> the Iran-linked Handala Hack group, which claimed responsibility for an attack on stryker that disrupted thousands of devices but did not affect patient services. Handala Hack allegedly published personal data about Israeli military personnel and other sensitive material, including claims of stolen data from members of the Sanzer Hasidic Jewish community. The FBI Baltimore Field Office and the FBI Cyber Division are leading the investigation. The case underscores U.S. concerns about Iran\u2019s coordinated use of cyber operations and online propaganda to influence audiences and foreign policy.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">DOJ seizes four domains pushing Iranian &lsquo;terrorist propaganda&rsquo; psyops in US<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2537581\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/justice-department\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"167\">Department of Justice<\/a> said Thursday it had seized four internet domains accused of spreading <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iran\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"100\">Iranian<\/a> government-backed &ldquo;terrorist propaganda&rdquo; as part of a broader effort to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >disrupt foreign cyber-related psychological operations targeting<\/a> U.S. audiences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Federal prosecutors said the websites were operated by individuals and entities tied to the Islamic Republic of Iran&rsquo;s Ministry of Intelligence and Security and were used to disseminate disinformation, amplify pro-Iranian narratives, and undermine confidence in U.S. institutions.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4497953\/two-fbi-agent-arctic-frost-sue-patel-bondi\/\">Two ex-FBI agents assigned to &#8216;Arctic Frost&#8217; investigation sue Patel and Bondi over wrongful termination<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4498068\/james-comey-subpoena-grand-conspiracy-trump\/\">Comey subpoenaed in &#8216;grand conspiracy&#8217; case against Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4497563\/doj-antitrust-chief-denies-paramount-wbd-merger-political-reasons\/\">Acting DOJ antitrust chief denies Paramount-WBD merger will be approved for political reasons<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The domains have been taken offline and now display <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"516\">FBI<\/a>-controlled seizure notices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Officials described the action as part of a campaign to counter Tehran&rsquo;s expanding use of cyber tools to influence public opinion abroad, particularly during periods of heightened geopolitical tension.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Iran, the leading state sponsor of terrorism worldwide, used the seized domains to dox and harass dissidents and journalists, incite violence against Jewish communities, and spread Tehran&rsquo;s anti-American propaganda,&rdquo; Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Attorney General <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/pam-bondi\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11687\">Pam Bondi<\/a> said the information displayed on the seized websites &ldquo;can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-republicans-ramp-up-censorship-investigation-into-blinken-state-department\/\" title=\"House Republicans Ramp Up Censorship ... Into Blinken State ...\">incite real-world violence<\/a>.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The seized domains include Justicehomeland.org, Handala-Hack.to, Karmabelow80.org, and Handala-Redwanted.to, and posed as independent news outlets or advocacy platforms but were in fact directed by Iranian actors conducting coordinated operations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The sites allegedly pushed messaging aligned with Iranian government interests, including content designed to inflame political divisions in the United States and shape perceptions of U.S. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/foreign-policy\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"8753\">foreign policy<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The takedown comes amid growing concern in the U.S. about Iran&rsquo;s use of cyberattacks and online propaganda in tandem, particularly following a recent cyber incident involving medical device maker Stryker.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A hacking group linked to Iran claimed responsibility for a disruptive cyberattack on the Michigan-based company, which temporarily affected its global network and internal systems.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Handala-Hack.to was used to claim responsibility for the attack, which reportedly wiped data from thousands of devices, highlighting the increasing willingness of Iranian-linked actors to target U.S. infrastructure.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While Stryker said it had contained the disruption and found no evidence of malware affecting patient services, cybersecurity experts warned the incident marked a possible escalation in tactics, combining operational disruptions with broader messaging campaigns.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ alleges that Handala Hack, through its domains, had published personally identifiable information about the Israeli military and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/israel\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"219\">government<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Handala Hack allegedly posted the names of Israeli military personnel and urged &ldquo;people of the Axis of Resistance! See these names and respond to these Zionist pigs yourselves.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4498270\/french-aircraft-carrier-location-strava\/\"><strong>FRENCH OFFICER EXPOSES AIRCRAFT CARRIER LOCATION AFTER POSTING WORKOUT ON FITNESS APP<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Additionally, the group claimed to have stolen hundreds of gigabytes of confidential data from members of the Sanzer Hasidic Jewish community, including &ldquo;documents of financial cooperation, witchcraft ceremonies, and secret correspondences with [Benjamin] Netanyahu.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The FBI Baltimore Field Office is investigating the case in coordination with the FBI Cyber Division as the DOJ moves forward with the prosecution.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DOJ seizes Iran-linked sites spreading propaganda<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4130,"featured_media":2581927,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26042612983391.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[7076,3823,4488,76179],"class_list":["post-2581926","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-doj","tag-iran","tag-propaganda","tag-psyops"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26042612983391.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581926","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4130"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2581926"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581926\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2581930,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2581926\/revisions\/2581930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2581927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2581926"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2581926"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2581926"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}