French authorities say attackers manipulated refrigeration systems at more than 700 stores, causing fires and tens of millions of euros in food losses
Thunder Bay ON – International News Service — France has formally attributed a destructive cyberattack on supermarket refrigeration systems to an Iranian unit linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, escalating tensions between Paris and Tehran.
The October 11-12 attack targeted refrigeration controllers at more than 700 large retail sites across France. Authorities said the intrusions caused extensive property damage, started fires and destroyed food worth tens of millions of euros.
France described the incident as the country’s first cyber campaign conducted solely for physical sabotage. At some stores, remotely controlled refrigeration systems reached 50 C for about six hours, forcing businesses to discard fresh and frozen products.
A joint investigation by France’s cyber-crisis agencies attributed the operation to Shahid Kaveh, a cyber-offensive unit affiliated with the Revolutionary Guard’s electronic and cyber centre. Investigators cited infrastructure characteristics, distinctive digital tools, Persian-language traces and the promotion of the attack through an outlet connected to the group.
Paris prosecutors have opened a judicial investigation into organized cybercrime carried out for a foreign power. Authorities are seeking international arrest warrants for the suspected unit leader, two deputies and any other people identified during the inquiry.
France summoned Iran’s ambassador and said it would ask European partners to impose sanctions on the responsible individuals and organizations. The government also reserved the right to take additional public or undisclosed measures.
The attribution comes amid wider concern about attacks on refrigeration and cold-storage systems. Stores in several other European countries reported similar problems, while a separate attempt to manipulate temperatures at French blood banks was stopped before blood products were damaged. French authorities have not said that every incident was part of the same operation.
Iran had not issued a detailed public response to the French findings by early Tuesday.
Sources: French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs | French National Cybersecurity Agency |
