France blames Iran for cyber attacks
9th November 2026
FRANCE: France has blamed Iran for last month’s cyber attacks which targeted over 700 of the country’s supermarket refrigeration systems.
In a statement, the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs said it condemned in the “strongest possible term”s the “unacceptable” cyberattacks carried out by the Islamic Republic of Iran against its interests.
The attacks during the night of October 11-12, targeted supermarket refrigeration controllers deployed in over 700 major retail locations across France.
“These cyberattacks caused considerable material damage, fires, and food losses estimated at tens of millions of euros. They represent a major threat to the interests of the nation and the safety of the French people,” the ministry stated.
“This is an unprecedented campaign in terms of its scale and level of aggressiveness, thus constituting the first cyber offensive campaign carried out purely for the purpose of sabotage on national territory.”
Following its investigations, France has identified the Shahid Kaveh cyber offensive unit, which, it says, is affiliated with the electronic and cyber centre of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“These destructive cyberattacks are unjustifiable, inexcusable, and violate international law. They also contravene the principles of the United Nations’ normative framework for responsible state behaviour in cyberspace, to which the Islamic Republic of Iran has subscribed.”
France says it is determined to use all available means of response, including within the European Union and alongside its European and international partners, to anticipate, prevent, deter and respond to what it calls the destabilising and destructive actions targeting it in cyberspace.
It says it will propose to its European partners the adoption of new sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals involved in this, and other, malicious cyber activities.
