Iran carried out a “brute force” cyberattack on the UK parliament that hit dozens of MPs this summer, The Times said Saturday according to a secret intelligence assessment.

Some 9,000 email accounts, including those belonging to Theresa May and other cabinet ministers, were subjected to a sustained attack on June 23. 

Ninety accounts were compromised, the London-based newspaper noted.

Russia was initially blamed but investigators have traced the attack to the Tehran regime, The Times can reveal. 

It is believed to be Iran’s first significant act of cyberwarfare on Britain and underlines its emergence as one of the world’s biggest cyberpowers.

The timing of the revelation is awkward for May as she seeks to persuade President Trump not to abandon the Iran nuclear deal.

Source: MENA