France attributes cyberattacks on supermarket refrigeration systems to Iran, Digi Mart USA News: The French government has condemned in the strongest terms cyberattacks carried out on its territory by the Islamic Republic of Iran against French interests, according to a statement published on the French diplomatic website for Mexico.
According to the statement, a cyberattack campaign targeted supermarket refrigeration controllers deployed at more than 700 retail sites across France during the night of October 11 to 12. The attacks caused considerable material damage, fires and food losses estimated at several tens of millions of euros.
The French government describes the campaign as unprecedented in its scale and aggressiveness, and as the first cyber-offensive operation carried out purely for sabotage purposes on national territory. It says the attacks represent a major breach of the nation’s interests and the security of French citizens.
Following investigative work, France says it is able to attribute the destructive actions to Iran. The operation was attributed to the SHAHID KAVEH cyber-offensive unit, which the statement says is affiliated with the electronic and cyber center of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, and which it describes as a persistent threat to critical infrastructure.
The statement says the attacks are unjustifiable and violate international law, and that they run counter to the United Nations framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, which Iran has endorsed. It also recalls earlier Iranian destabilization acts against France, including targeting of the satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo in 2023 and the organization of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The European Union adopted sanctions in March 2026 against the Iranian entity Emennet Pasargad, which the statement says contributed to these cyberattacks.
In line with France’s 2026 national cybersecurity strategy, the government says it will use all available response tools, including within the European Union and alongside European and international partners. France will summon Iran’s ambassador to express its strongest condemnation, and will propose new European sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals involved in the attack and other malicious cyber activities.
The statement adds that France reserves the right to take any further public or non-public measures it deems necessary and proportionate. The National Cyber Crisis Coordination Center (C4) is also publishing a joint report on offensive cyber activities by Iranian actors linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps against French interests, based on attribution work conducted within the C4.
