France blames Iran for cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot says Iran's Revolutionary Guards were behind an unprecedented wave of cyberattacks on supermarket refrigerators in France. He said Paris will seek EU-level sanctions against those responsible.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on Monday, at a G7 meeting in Paris, that Iran's Revolutionary Guards were responsible for a recent series of cyberattacks on the refrigerators of several major supermarket chains in France. He described the attacks, which took place last month, as unprecedented. According to the minister, France intends to push for sanctions at the European level against those responsible.
Barrot said 700 food distribution points in France were affected. He credited government services with the work that allowed the perpetrator to be identified.
Shortly after the minister's statement, the French prosecutor's office announced it had opened an investigation.
Other countries also targeted
Barrot referred only to incidents reported in France. In recent days, however, hackers have also targeted supermarkets elsewhere in Europe, as well as French blood banks.
Cybersecurity experts had earlier voiced concern that the attacks could be part of the hybrid war that Russia is currently waging against Europe. The Kremlin has denied any involvement.
