July 2022 Intelligence News

'Retaliation' awaits countries helping anti-Iran terrorist groups: Intelligence minister Press TV 29 Jul 2022 -- Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib has issued a stern warning to countries that provide assistance to anti-Iran terrorist groups, saying such acts will not remain unanswered.
Targeting Russia's Global Malign Influence Operations and Election Interference Activities US Dept. of State 29 Jul 2022 -- The Russian Federation has demonstrated determination in its attempts to undermine the democratic processes and institutions essential to the functioning of our democracy and that of other countries. It is crucial for our democracy, and democracies around the globe, to hold free and fair elections without malign outside interference.
Treasury Targets the Kremlin's Continued Malign Political Influence Operations in the U.S. and Globally US Treasury 29 Jul 2022 -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), as part of a joint action with the Department of Justice, sanctioned two individuals and four entities that support the Kremlin's global malign influence operations and election interference activities. The individuals and entities designated today played various roles in Russia's attempts to manipulate and destabilize the United States and its allies and partners, including Ukraine. This action follows a series of OFAC designations that have highlighted and disrupted Russia's persistent election destabilization efforts against Ukraine.
Russian National Charged with Conspiring to Have U.S. Citizens Act as Illegal Agents of the Russian Government US Dept. of Justice 29 Jul 2022 -- An indictment was unsealed today in Tampa, Florida, charging a Russian national, working on behalf of the Russian government and in conjunction with the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), with allegedly orchestrating a years-long foreign malign influence campaign that used various U.S. political groups to sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda, and interfere in elections within the United States.
U.S. Files Charges Against Russian Operative Over Alleged Russian Influence Campaign RFE/RL 29 Jul 2022 -- The United States has charged a Russian national with recruiting political groups in the United States to sow discord, spread pro-Russian propaganda, and interfere with U.S. elections.
EU admits top officials' phones hacked using Israeli spyware Press TV 29 Jul 2022 -- The European Union found evidence that smartphones used by its staff were compromised by an Israeli company's spy software, says a report citing a letter by the bloc's top justice official.
Iran Reports Bust Up of Another Mossad Spy Ring Amid Raging Secret Spy War Sputnik 28 Jul 2022 -- The Islamic Republic and the Jewish state have spent more than 40 years engaged in a back-and-forth behind-the-scenes intelligence war involving sabotage attacks, assassinations, and cyber malevolence.
Iranian security forces capture Mossad-affiliated spy network members Press TV 28 Jul 2022 -- Iranian security forces have arrested the ringleader and members of an espionage network affiliated with the Israeli spy agency Mossad, in the second such development in as many days.
Members Of Alleged Israel-Linked 'Spy Network' Arrested In Iran RFE/RL 28 Jul 2022 -- Iranian police have arrested the leader and four other members of a suspected espionage network that Tehran says has links to Israeli intelligence services.
'Dismantled Israel-linked spy network aimed to target sensitive Iranian defense center' Press TV 27 Jul 2022 -- Iran's intelligence ministry says an espionage team affiliated with the Israeli regime's spy agency Mossad, which was recently dismantled before it could carry out acts of sabotage in the country, had plans to blow up a sensitive defense facility.
Iran says foiled several bids by Israel through 'successful ops' in recent months Press TV 27 Jul 2022 -- Iran's Intelligence Ministry says it carried out "a number of successful operations" against Israel in recent months, thwarting vicious conspiracies hatched by the occupying Tel Aviv regime and its allied anti-Iran terrorist groups.
New Portman Report Details China's Efforts to Target, Influence, and Undermine U.S. Federal Reserve Banks Senate HSGAC - Minority Media 26 Jul 2022 -- "Today, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, released a new report detailing China's malign efforts to target, influence, and undermine the U.S. Federal Reserve. Based on a Federal Reserve counterintelligence analysis and unheeded FBI recommendations to change the Federal Reserve's policies and procedures, this report finds the Federal Reserve has been the target of an extended and effective Chinese malign influence and information theft campaign."
Senate Report Alleges Chinese Effort to Infiltrate Federal Reserve VOA 26 Jul 2022 -- Fed Chair Jerome Powell and a senior member of Congress are at odds over a report issued Tuesday by Senate Republicans alleging that China is trying to infiltrate the Federal Reserve and that the central bank has done too little to stop it.
Israeli "spy network" plans to explode Iran's "sensitive" center: report People's Daily 25 Jul 2022 -- An arrested Israeli "spy network" had plans to explode one of the "sensitive" centers in Iran's central Isfahan province, said Iran's Nour News, affiliated with the country's Supreme National Security Council.
Iran arrests all members of spying network affiliated with Israel's Mossad Press TV 23 Jul 2022 -- Iranian security forces have dismantled an espionage network linked to the Israeli regime's spy agency, which had plans to carry out terrorist attacks in the country.
Iran Discloses Detention of Israeli-Linked Agents Plotting 'Terrorist Ops' at 'Sensitive' Sites Sputnik 23 Jul 2022 -- The latest arrest report is the third of its kind to be announced by the Iranian intelligence ministry since March. The next recent occurrence took place on June 14, when state media announced the arrest of a group of "thugs and hooligans" who were recruited by Mossad for kidnapping and assassination operations.
China now top priority for MI6 intelligence agency, says Britain's spy chief Press TV 22 Jul 2022 -- Britain's spy chief says China has become the top intelligence priority for the country's notorious Secret Intelligence Service (SISI), also known as MI6, surpassing counter-terrorism and other security-related issues.
Joint Statement by the United States and the United Kingdom on Data Access Agreement US Dept. of Justice 21 Jul 2022 -- The United States and United Kingdom intend to bring into force the Agreement between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Access to Electronic Data for the Purpose of Countering Serious Crime ("Data Access Agreement"), which was signed in 2019, on Oct. 3, 2022.
Thailand's Latest Cyber-Snooping Revelations 'Tip of the Iceberg' VOA 21 Jul 2022 -- Digital security experts and civil rights advocates say recent revelations that at least 30 academics, advocates and pro-democracy activists in Thailand were targeted with sophisticated spyware may be just the "tip of the iceberg" and that their search for more targets will go on.
UK's Top Spy Claims Russia 'Running Out of Steam in Ukraine', Calls China Top Threat Sputnik 21 Jul 2022 -- Appointed by Boris Johnson in 2020, Secret Intelligence Service chief Richard Moore has made a name for himself as the first MI6 director to use Twitter and post hip, youth-friendly memes. Last year, he got in a spat with Moscow after simultaneously claiming Russia was a "declining power" and putting it at the top of his list of global "threats."
US Warns Putin Falling for His Own Rhetoric VOA 21 Jul 2022 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have succumbed to his own mythmaking and hyperbole, unable to let go of his desire to conquer Ukraine, no matter what the costs, according to a public assessment by America's top spymaster.
Aspen Security Forum Fireside Chat: CIA Director William Burns / NBC Correspondent Andrea Mitchell CIA 20 Jul 2022
DoD Announces the Establishment of the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office DoD 20 Jul 2022 -- On July 15, 2022, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks, in coordination with the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), amended her original direction to the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence & Security by renaming and expanding the scope of the Airborne Object Identification and Management Group (AOIMSG) to the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), due to the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal 2022, which included a provision to establish an office, in coordination with DNI, with responsibilities that were broader than those originally assigned to the AOIMSG.
Secretary Antony J. Blinken Remarks to Employees at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence US Dept. of State 18 Jul 2022
Foreign information manipulation and interference: Council approves conclusions stepping up EU's engagement and ability to respond EC/CEU 18 Jul 2022 -- The Council today approved conclusions on foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
Russian Spy Chief Visits Armenia Three Days After CIA Director RFE/RL 18 Jul 2022 -- The head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian in Yerevan on July 18, three days after CIA Director William Burns made an unexpected visit to Armenia.
CIA Director Meets With Armenian Prime Minister, Security Council Secretary In Yerevan RFE/RL 16 Jul 2022 -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian on July 15 received U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns, Pashinian's press office said.
Ex-CIA employee convicted over leaking documents to Wikileaks Press TV 14 Jul 2022 -- A former CIA software engineer has been convicted of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks from the spy agency.
US Jury Finds Ex-CIA Employee Guilty for Massive Theft of Information - WikiLeaks Sputnik 14 Jul 2022 -- A US jury found ex-CIA employee Joshua Schulte guilty on all counts of an alleged massive theft of classified information, WikiLeaks said on Wednesday.
Statement Of U.S. Attorney Damian Williams On The Espionage Conviction Of Ex-CIA Programmer Joshua Adam Schulte DOJ - USAG-SDNY 13 Jul 2022 -- Joshua Adam Schulte was a CIA programmer with access to some of the country's most valuable intelligence-gathering cyber tools used to battle terrorist organizations and other malign influences around the globe.
China Steps Up Intimidation, Harassment of Chinese Dissidents in US VOA 13 Jul 2022 -- Last week, the U.S. Justice Department announced the indictment of one former and one current Department of Homeland Security agent in connection with an alleged Chinese government plot to target U.S.-based critics.
National Security Memorandum on The President's Intelligence Priorities The White House 12 Jul 2022
US military firm says spies backed its bid to purchase Israeli spyware maker: Report Press TV 11 Jul 2022 -- A US military firm says spy agencies in the country had backed its decision to acquire NSO, the controversial Israeli spyware company blacklisted by the Joe Biden administration.
Report: US Intel Operatives Backed Plans to Buy Infamous NSO Group Before Negotiations Were Axed Sputnik 11 Jul 2022 -- The firm in question is responsible for Pegasus, a "zero-click" hacking tool that can remotely extract everything from a target's mobile phone, including messages, contacts, images and videos. Additionally, it can make the phone into a tracking and recording tool.
'The FSB Murdered My Father': Lawyers, Family Want Answers After Ailing Russian Scientist Dies In Custody RFE/RL 08 Jul 2022 -- On July 2, the brother of Siberian scientist Dmitry Kolker filed a complaint with the Federal Security Service (FSB) protesting his brother's arrest two days earlier at a Novosibirsk cancer clinic where he was being treated for late-stage pancreatic cancer. In his appeal, he wrote that Kolker's transfer to Moscow could be fatal.
MFA statement on information concerning detention of Polish national in Iran Republic of Poland 07 Jul 2022 -- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that a Polish national was taken into custody in Iran in September 2021.
University Confirms Detention Of Polish Scientist After Iranian Report On Foreigners' Alleged Spying RFE/RL 07 Jul 2022 -- A Polish professor has been detained by Iran since September, a spokesman with the university confirmed to RFE/RL on July 7 after Iran claimed that it had arrested a group of foreigners on spying charges.
Russia Info Ops Home In on Perceived Weak Links VOA 07 Jul 2022 -- Russian influence peddlers appear to have narrowed their focus as they continue attempts to sow disunity and undermine Western efforts to support Ukraine, according to new research from the cybersecurity firm Recorded Future.
Homeland Security Agents Indicted in Alleged Chinese Effort to Spy in US VOA 07 Jul 2022 -- A federal grand jury has indicted a current U.S. Department of Homeland Security agent and a former agent in connection with an alleged Chinese government-sponsored scheme to stalk, harass and spy on U.S.-based Chinese critics of Beijing, the Justice Department said Thursday.
Five Men Indicted for Crimes Related to Transnational Repression Scheme to Silence Critics of the People's Republic of China Residing in the United States US Dept. of Justice 07 Jul 2022 -- A federal grand jury in Brooklyn returned a superseding indictment yesterday charging five defendants, including one current federal law enforcement officer and one retired federal law enforcement officer, with various crimes pertaining to a transnational repression scheme orchestrated on behalf of the Government of the People's Republic of China (PRC).
'Chinese espionage' remarks by US and UK intelligence officials pure shadow chasing: embassy Global Times 07 Jul 2022 -- The spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in the UK stated on Thursday that China strongly condemns and firmly disapproves of the fictitious allegations created against China by US and UK intelligence officials.
US, UK poison perception of China with intelligence chiefs' cliched accusations Global Times 07 Jul 2022 -- The US and UK have created yet another wave of hype about so-called China espionage, only this time with a clearer purpose, more "sensational language" and the aim of manipulating the West's perception of China, Chinese experts said, after the heads of the FBI and MI5 warned that China's industrial espionage poses a growing threat to Western groups, including through special purpose acquisition companies.
Heads of MI5, FBI give joint warning of alleged major threat from China Press TV 07 Jul 2022 -- The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the British Security Service, MI5, have raised alarms about alleged economic and security threats posed by China to the West.
FBI and MI5 team up to warn of the risks of Chinese hackers and spies Radio Free Asia 07 Jul 2022 -- In an unprecedented joint appearance Wednesday, the heads of U.S. and U.K. security agencies warned about China's hacking and economic espionage, which they called "the most game-changing challenge we face."
Beijing Slams MI5, FBI Statement as 'Irresponsible', Says US is Biggest Threat to World Peace Sputnik 07 Jul 2022 -- The United States is the most "warlike" country in world history and it has become the greatest threat to world peace and development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Thursday.
FBI, MI5 Chiefs Warn that China is Biggest 'Game-Changing Threat' to 'Economic & National Security' Sputnik 07 Jul 2022 -- Christopher Wray, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), joined Ken McCallum, Director General of MI5, in London, to reaffirm longstanding shared concerns about economic espionage allegedly emanating from China.
FBI Director's London Visit Reinforces Commitment to U.K. Partnership FBI 06 Jul 2022 -- FBI Director Christopher Wray and United Kingdom MI5 Director General Ken McCallum urged business leaders to be aware of the threat from the Chinese government and help the government agencies protect corporate secrets from theft by China.
Iran arrests UK's deputy ambassador, foreigners for "spying" activities People's Daily 07 Jul 2022 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) arrested the British deputy ambassador and other foreigners for "spying" activities such as collecting soil samples in prohibited areas, official IRNA news agency reported Wednesday.
IRGC arrests foreign diplomats working in Iran on espionage charges IRNA 07 Jul 2022 -- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has arrested a number of diplomats working in foreign embassies in Tehran over espionage charges.
Britain Says Iranian Media Reports On Arrest Of British Diplomat 'Completely False' RFE/RL 06 Jul 2022 -- Britain's Foreign Office said on July 6 that reports of the arrest of a British diplomat in Iran "are completely false."
Report: IRGC detains foreigners spying in Iran's deserts Press TV 06 Jul 2022 -- The Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps has detained several foreigners, including Britain's second most senior envoy in Tehran, for acts of spying such as taking earth samples in restricted areas, Iranian news agencies say.
Iran Accuses Detained French Couple Of 'Undermining' Security RFE/RL 06 Jul 2022 -- Iran has accused a French couple detained in May of "undermining the security" of the country.
Director's Remarks to Business Leaders in London FBI 06 Jul 2022
Joint address by MI5 and FBI Heads MI5 06 Jul 2022 -- MI5 Director General Ken McCallum and FBI Director Chris Wray have warned of the growing threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party to UK and US interests.
Russia Says It Will Respond in Kind To Bulgaria After Diplomatic Expulsions RFE/RL 04 Jul 2022 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on July 4 that Moscow would respond in kind to Bulgaria's expulsion of 70 Russian diplomats.
Ailing Russian Scientist Accused Of Treason Dies In Custody RFE/RL 03 Jul 2022 -- A Novosibirsk scientist who was detained on June 30 on suspicion of treason has died, Russian media reported on July 3.
Acting Bulgarian PM Refuses to Change Decision to Expel 70 Russian Diplomats Sputnik 01 Jul 2022 -- Acting Bulgarian Prime Minister Kiril Petkov said on Friday that he will not change his decision to order 70 Russian diplomats out of the country.

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