Provoking Iran Could Have Unseen Cyber Consequences
On Friday, President Trump announced that he will not certify Iran’s cooperation with the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated by the Obama Administration. The move doesn't eliminate or rework the deal, possibilities its proponents feared given Trump's longstanding criticism of the agreement. But it does kick the accord to Congress for reconsideration. There, lawmakers could leave the agreement the same, impose tweaks, or go all the way to reinstating sanctions against Iran, effectively ending the deal.
The fulfillment of Iran's nuclear ambitions remain years away even if this deal falls apart, but Trump's actions also raise questions about whether increased tension will in turn lead to increased Iranian cyber operations. Observers say that while the current diplomatic instability likely won't impact Iran's hacking purview, further decisions—particularly around sanctions—could fuel offensive plans directed at the United States.
