Websites Linked to Iran's Presidency Hacked With Images of Exile Group's Leaders

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A series of websites linked to Iran's presidency bore the images of two leaders of an exiled opposition group Monday, with others showing the pictures of Islamic Republic's supreme leader and president crossed out.

An internet account describing itself as a group of hackers claimed responsibility for allegedly taking down websites. The account GhyamSarnegouni, whose name in Farsi means Rise to Overthrow, previously claimed hacking websites associated with Iran's Foreign Ministry earlier this month.

Iranian state media and officials did not immediately acknowledge the apparent hack. However, Associated Press journalists accessing the sites found them defaced with images of Massoud Rajavi, the long-missing leader of the Iranian exile group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, and his wife Maryam, who is now the public face of the group.