Iran’s nuclear company email system hacked, cyber group demands release of protestors

A group called Black Reward demanded prisoners of Iran protests be released, threatening to release documents on Tehran’s nuclear programme

Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation said Sunday an email server of its subsidiary was hacked in a "foreign" attack aimed at drawing "attention" amid protests over the death of Mahsa Amini.

The Islamic Republic has been gripped by weeks-long demonstrations sparked by the death of 22-year-old Amini on September 16 after her arrest for allegedly violating the country's strict dress code for women.

The street violence has led to dozens of deaths, mostly among protesters but also among the security forces, and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested.

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A group called Black Reward on Friday issued an ultimatum on Twitter, threatening to release documents on Tehran's nuclear programme unless all "political prisoners, prisoners of conscience and people arrested in the recent protests" were released within 24 hours.

Material on social media said to be released by the group on Saturday included a short clip from a purported nuclear site in Iran, as well as documents containing agreements, maps and payslips.

The nuclear agency acknowledged in a statement that a hack had targeted its subsidiary, the Atomic Energy Production and Development Company, but downplayed the importance of the documents.