On Thursday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani issued a statement in which he strongly condemned the sanctions imposed by the US on Iranian individuals and companies over alleged cyber attacks. 

The statement stated that the US is "empty-handed" against Iran, adding that "Washington's insistence on resorting to ridiculous, illegal and norm-breaking behavior against independent governments and nations shows the inability of the American statesmen to properly understand global equations and adapt to its realities."

Kanaani added that "resorting to launching a campaign of false propaganda and spreading false information against the Islamic Republic of Iran is part of the failed Iranophobic policy adopted by the American government, although it will get nowhere."

Kanaani pointed out that the US, which had never commented on previous cyber attacks perpetrated against Iran or attempted attacks on its nuclear facilities which the US directly or indirectly supported, lacks the credibility to make such accusations.

The Spokesperson said that Iran, a country that had for long suffered from cyber attacks, has made great contributions on a global scale to help countries deal threat of cyber attacks.

Read more: US sanctions Iranian ministry over alleged Albania cyberattack

On Friday, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said it has designated Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and its Minister of Intelligence for what it labeled as engaging in cyber-enabled activities against the US and Albania.

Yesterday, the Treasury issued a list of 10 individuals, 2 entities, and several crypto addresses allegedly tied to an Iranian ransomware group.

On Tuesday 13, Israeli sources reported that the Israeli occupation has offered Albania assistance against alleged Iranian cyber attacks.

It is noteworthy that the Pegasus spyware developed by "Israel's" NSO group has gained worldwide attention over the numerous scandals the company has been involved in invading privacy and stealing data on human rights activists, heads of state, and journalists, without any sanctions imposed by the US on the Israeli spyware firm.

Albania hosting MEK terrorist group

It is noteworthy that for years, Tirana has been hosting the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK), which Iran considers a terrorist group.

Albania agreed in 2013 to take in members of the group at the request of Washington and the United Nations.

The MEK regularly hosts summits in Albania that have long attracted support from conservative US Republicans, including former Vice President Mike Pence who delivered a keynote address at an event in June. 

Albania has expelled a string of Iranian diplomats from the Balkan country over the years, including Tehran's ambassador to the country in December 2018.

Read more: House hearing highlights US concerns about Israeli NSO Group spyware