State Department launches new bureau to counter cyberattacks from Iran

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The State Department launched a new bureau to counter potential cyberattacks and AI risks from Iran as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

The entity is called the Bureau of Emerging Threats and its goal is to protect the national security of the U.S. from cyberattacks, according to ABC News.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed this entity about a year ago, but more information has come out about it this year.

“The bureau will address not only the current threats we face today in cyberspace, outer space, critical infrastructure, and through the misuse of disruptive technology like AI and quantum, but those we will face in the decades ahead,” State Department principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

The senior officer leading the bureau is Anny Vu who had served under Trump in another role.

She said her team would be “dedicated to leveraging foreign policy and all tools of national power” to protect interests of the U.S.

Last month, the U.S. and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran due to concerns that the country had missiles.

Iran has retaliated and last week, put out a warning that U.S. and Israeli officials would not be safe. This warning came as many Americans were going on spring break.

The strikes took out former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His son replaced him as the new leader.