DRUG COMPANY TARGETED

Iranian-linked hackers have targeted U.S. drug company Gilead Sciences Inc. in recent weeks as the company works to develop treatments for the coronavirus, Reuters reported Friday.

According to Reuters, the hackers posed as journalists and sent emails to Gilead staffers that were designed to trick them into disclosing their passwords. Reuters was not able to determine if any of the attempted attacks were successful.

Key company fighting the virus: The Food and Drug Administration last week approved an emergency use authorization of Gilead’s drug remdesivir to help treat COVID-19 patients. The drug, which is an antiviral medication, was found in one clinical trial to shorten the time of recovery for those suffering from the virus.

A spokesperson for Gilead declined to comment on the story to The Hill, saying Gilead does not comment on “information security measures.”

Alireza Miryousefi, a spokesperson for Iran’s mission to the United Nations, told Reuters that “the Iranian government does not engage in cyber warfare,” and that “cyber activities Iran engages in are purely defensive and to protect against further attacks on Iranian infrastructure.”

Iran is regarded by experts as one of the most dangerous nation states in cyberspace alongside Russia, China, and North Korea. Concerns over Iran’s cyber capabilities increased in January due to increased tensions between the U.S. and Iran due over the death of Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani.