French authorities revealed on Monday that they are investigating a cyber unit connected to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The attacks, which took place on October 11 and 12, directly sabotaged refrigeration units in grocery stores across France.
Investigators discovered that hackers used Farsi and IP addresses tied to devices based in Iran. They broke into the cooling systems over the internet and turned the heat up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) overnight. This extreme heat ruined millions of euros worth of food, melted parts, and even started fires.
Top Chains Hit Hard
Several massive retail groups took a serious beating. French giants E-Leclerc, Intermarche, Carrefour, Monoprix, and Cooperative U were all affected by the digital sabotage.
Intermarche saw at least 300 of its stores and Netto brand outlets hit. Cooperative U stated over 100 supermarkets were targeted, Carrefour reported 80 affected stores, and Monoprix said roughly 5 percent of its around 490 outlets suffered damage.
Similar cold-storage trouble struck other European nations on November 2. Outlets and a food distribution hub recorded sudden overnight heat spikes in Belgium, Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg, and Sweden.
“I can confirm that this attack was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of the Islamic Republic of Iran”Jean-Noel Barrot
France Promises Payback
Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that the Iranian ambassador was summoned following the incident. He confirmed that sanctions will be pushed forward at a European level to punish the responsible parties.
Meanwhile, the Paris prosecutor's office has sought international arrest warrants for the chief of Shahid Kaveh, an offensive cyber group linked with the Revolutionary Guards, along with his two deputies.
What happens next
Sanctions will be brought against Iran at a European level, and France plans to take proportionate and necessary public or private measures to respond to the attack and deter repeat incidents.
