Albania’s parliament recently reported a sophisticated cyberattack intended to wipe data and disable internal systems, though the official website remained functional. The hack, which disrupted email and computer access for lawmakers, was claimed by the group Homeland Justice in retaliation for Albania hosting members of an Iranian opposition movement.
The Albanian parliament announced on Tuesday evening that its digital infrastructure had been targeted by a major cyberattack. While the public website and core systems stayed online, the administration was forced to suspend internal email services to contain the threat. This security breach left members of parliament and staff unable to use their work computers or communicate through official channels for several hours as technicians worked to secure the network.
A group calling itself Homeland Justice took credit for the operation via social media, asserting that they had successfully infiltrated the system and stolen sensitive communications. To support these claims, the hackers published screenshots of internal documents and emails on their Telegram channel. Although the Albanian government is currently investigating the technical details of the breach, officials have not yet formally confirmed the authenticity of the leaked materials.
Cybersecurity experts and Western intelligence agencies have long identified Homeland Justice as a front for the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. This specific group has a history of targeting Albanian infrastructure, including previous strikes against the national airline, telecom companies, and statistics bureaus. These digital assaults are generally viewed as part of a broader shadow conflict between Tirana and Tehran that has persisted for several years.
The timing of this latest attack coincides with a significant escalation in regional tensions following military strikes by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran. Albania remains a frequent target of Iranian aggression due to its decision to host the Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, an exiled Iranian opposition group. The hackers explicitly stated that the parliament was targeted because of the country’s continued support and housing of this dissident organization on Albanian soil.
Tensions have further intensified following recent public statements from the opposition group leadership regarding the establishment of a provisional government to replace the current Iranian regime. As Albanian cybersecurity agencies continue their forensic analysis, the incident highlights the ongoing vulnerability of national institutions to geopolitically motivated hacking. The government maintains that it is working to restore full functionality while strengthening its defenses against future state-sponsored intrusions.
Source: Iran-Linked Hackers Claim Cyberattack On Albania’s Parliament Email Systems