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State Department launches effort to counter cyberattacks, AI risks from Iran, others

Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivers remarks to the press in Washington on Dec. 19, 2025. Criminals have posed as Rubio in an attempt to uncover government secrets. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)

By Shannon K. Kingston

The State Department has formally launched a new entity charged with anticipating and responding to dangers posed by Iran and other U.S. adversaries’ weaponization of advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, officials familiar with the matter tell ABC News. 

The department’s Bureau of Emerging Threats has been tasked with safeguarding American national security against cyberattacks, the weaponization of space and similar malicious efforts, they said. 

In addition to Iran, the officials identified novel threats from China, Russia, North Korea and foreign terrorist organizations as particular areas of focus. 

Read more at ABC News

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