In Israel, Albanian PM to meet cyber chief after Iran hack

JERUSALEM (AP) — Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama reached Israel on Sunday for an official tour that will include a meeting with Israeli cyber defense officials, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said.

Rama's three-day tour came a month after Albania severed diplomatic ties with Iran in July cyberattack that targeted Albanian governmental websites and services.

After Albania broke ties, a second cyberattack from the same Iranian source hit an information system that records Albanian border entries and exits, causing delays for travelers.

Israel and Iran are enemies and have waged a more than decade-long shadow war across the region and in cyberspace.

Rama met with Israel’s caretaker Prime Minister Yair Lapid, whose office said the two discussed bilateral ties and “overcoming common challenges faced by the two countries, with an emphasis on the Iranian threat,” and suggested cyber defense cooperation.

“Israel will assist as much as possible in the effort against Iran. We see this as a national interest and a historical obligation,” Lapid said.

The Foreign Ministry said that Rama would meet with the head of Israel's National Cyber Directorate. It provided no additional information.

The ministry said Rama would also meet with Israel’s figurehead President Isaac Herzog and other officials.