Albania and Iran have been bitter foes for years, stemming from Tirana's hosting of the Iranian opposition group the People's Mujahedeen of Iran (MEK) on its soil.
Prime Minister Edi Rama on Wednesday accused Iran of directing a cyberattack against Albanian institutions on July 15 in a bid to "paralyse public services and hack data and electronic communications from the government systems".
It was the first time Tirana spoke about the alleged attack, and Rama said his country cut ties with Iran over it. [afp]
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Albania cut its diplomatic ties with Iran on Wednesday, Prime Minister Edi Rama said.
ReplyDeleteRama accused Iran of launching a massive cyberattack against Albania.
"The Council of Ministers has decided on the severance of diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran with immediate effect," said Rama.
Tirana says that the attack on Albanian institutions occurred on July 15.
Albania's prime minister said that the "extreme" response was "fully proportionate to the gravity and risk of the cyberattack."
The attack "threatened to paralyse public services, erase digital systems and hack into state records, steal government intranet electronic communication and stir chaos and insecurity in the country," Rama said.
Tirana has ordered Iranian diplomats and embassy staff to leave within 24 hours.