French officials have accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of orchestrating cyberattacks that disrupted supermarket refrigerators, leading to food spoilage and inventory losses. The attacks, which targeted refrigeration systems in October, reportedly caused temperatures to rise in stores, forcing some to discard perishable goods. The French government has not yet confirmed the extent of the damage or the number of affected stores.
The cyberattacks are part of a broader escalation in tensions between France and Iran. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has summoned the Iranian ambassador to the foreign ministry, signaling a formal response to the alleged attacks. The incident is described as one of the most disruptive cyberattacks in the ongoing conflict with Iran, which began in February. Previous disruptions have targeted infrastructure in the United States, including the Los Angeles transit system and water treatment plants.
This is not the first time France has accused Iran of cyber intrusions. Earlier this year, French officials raised concerns over Iranian-linked cyber activities affecting critical infrastructure. The current attacks on refrigeration systems mark a shift toward targeting commercial operations, potentially impacting public supply chains. The French government has vowed to take coordinated action with European allies to counter Iranian cyber threats. The situation remains under investigation, with no official confirmation of Iranian responsibility yet.
