US seizes 92 Iranian website domains accused of disinformation

This investigation started after the FBI received intelligence from Google. AP

The US Department of Justice on Wednesday announced the seizure of 92 Iranian domains it accused of being used by the  Revolutionary Guard Corps to spread misinformation on a global scale.

Four of the websites were disguised as genuine news outlets and were aimed at the US, the department said.

US officials identified them as newsstand7.com, usjournal.net, usjournal.us  and twtoday.net.

These domains now carry only a message from the department that they have been seized by the US.

“[They were] controlled by the IRGC and targeted the United States for the spread of Iranian propaganda to influence United States domestic and foreign policy, in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and the remainder spread Iranian propaganda to other parts of the world,” the State Department said.

US Attorney David Anderson, for the Northern District of California, said: “Today we are 92 domains closer to shutting down Iran’s worldwide disinformation campaign."

Giant social media companies helped in the investigation.

“This investigation, initiated by intelligence we received from Google, was a collaborative effort between the FBI and social media companies Google, Facebook and Twitter,” said the FBI Special Agent in Charge.

Last week Twitter removed 130 fake accounts linked to Iran, which were trying to influence reaction to the US election.

The FBI said in a statement it gave information to Twitter to curtail “foreign threats”.

"Although we cannot discuss the specific information provided, the FBI regularly shares information with social media companies so they can better protect their platforms," a spokesman said.

"The FBI is actively engaged with our federal partners, election officials and the private sector to mitigate foreign threats to our nation's security and our elections."

Twitter and Facebook have been increasing efforts to clamp down on foreign interference in the US election.