Montenegrin police, with assistance from the FBI, have arrested a 39-year-old Iranian-Turkish national wanted by the United States for cyberattacks that allegedly caused $3.4 billion in damages to US infrastructure.

The suspect, identified only as A.B., is charged in a New York federal court with conspiracy to commit computer fraud, hacking, and identity theft. The arrest is part of a broader US effort to disrupt cyber operations allegedly conducted on behalf of Iranian state interests.

According to police, since 2013, A.B. carried out large-scale hacking attacks against US targets, including over 150 universities. The attacks purportedly caused more than $3.4 billion (nearly €3 billion) in damages.

Montenegrin authorities claim the stolen data and compromised university accounts were used to benefit Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other entities, including Iranian universities.

The suspect is due to appear before a court in Podgorica, where judges will consider a US extradition request. The FBI has not commented on the arrest.

US authorities have repeatedly warned of Iranian state-linked cyber operations targeting critical infrastructure, noting an increase in such campaigns in April.

Source: www.dw.com