US warns of 'further action' after Albania accuses Iran of cyber attack

The National Security Council said it would stand by its allies in its bid to thwart further hackings

US President Joe Biden vowed to support Albania during his presidential bid and appears to be backing up that promise. AFP

The White House on Wednesday warned of "further action" against Iran as it denounced what it called an "unprecedented" cyber attack against US ally Albania.

"The United States strongly condemns Iran's cyber attack against our Nato ally, Albania," National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement, adding that "Iran should be held accountable".

"The United States will take further action to hold Iran accountable for actions that threaten the security of a US ally and set a troubling precedent for cyberspace."

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama pointed the finger at Iran over the July attacks. EPA

Albania's Prime Minister Edi Rama accused Iran of directing the cyber attack against Albanian institutions on July 15 in a bid to "paralyse public services and hack data and electronic communications from the government systems". He is now cutting all diplomatic ties with the nation.

"This extreme response ... is fully proportionate to the gravity and risk of the cyber attack that 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," Mr Rama said in a statement.

The incident comes as the US and EU powers are struggling to salvage an agreement that would impose strict controls on the controversial Iranian nuclear sector in exchange for lifting some sanctions.

Albanian officials said the attacks targeted Albania's governmental mainframe and started as a ransomware raid, in which the hackers tried to hit critical systems, aiming to render them functionless, it said.

Authorities also pointed to similarities between international cyber attacks, including ones targeting multiple European countries.

Exiled artists bring the colours of Kabul to Albania — in pictures

The ArtLords, a collective of refugee artists, painted a mural with the help of local people in Albania, where the Afghan exiles are now living. All photos: ArtLords

ArtLords founder Omaid Sharifi, left, was among the group's members who escaped from Afghanistan.

The ArtLords put on an exhibition of works by refugee artists. They became known for painting hundreds of murals on the thick blast walls that are a common sight across Kabul and the rest of Afghanistan.

Children were also encouraged to take part in the exhibition.

A part of the event was dedicated to the many Afghan children now living in exile, encouraging them to create art and paint.

The Taliban have been open about their hostility towards the artists, many of whom have fled Afghanistan.

News agencies contributed to this report