France Blames Iran for Elaborate Refrigeration Hack

An Iranian hacking group, identified as Shahid Kaveh and allegedly affiliated with the IRGC-ECC, is blamed by French officials for a sophisticated cyberattack disrupting refrigeration systems across France starting October 11. The coordinated attacks targeted approximately 700 food distribution sites, manipulating defrost settings to cause food spoilage and initiating at least 15 fires. France estimates nationwide food losses in the tens of millions of euros.

French authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into fraudulent interference and data system damage, seeking international arrest warrants for three named Iranian officials. The cyberattacks also impacted equipment at several small hydroelectric facilities, though with limited effects. Similar attacks were reported in other European countries following the French incidents.

In a separate event, French blood-storage facilities were targeted on November 2. While authorities have not linked these attacks to the Iranian operation, monitoring systems successfully prevented any loss of blood products. Iran has not yet officially responded to the accusations.