On Tuesday, France summoned the Iranian ambassador over allegations of a cyber attack that disrupted the refrigeration systems of hundreds of supermarkets. Jean-Noël Barrot, the French foreign minister, warned that his country might respond to these attacks with its own cyber actions.
Cyber Attacks and Iran's Responsibility
French officials announced on Monday that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran is behind these attacks, which disrupted refrigeration systems across France in October. Barrot stated in a television interview: "We will seek to impose EU sanctions in response to this attack, which we consider an unprecedented and aggressive act against our country."
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Possible Actions by France
The foreign minister added: "We will take all necessary actions, including some that we will not publicly discuss, if we deem them appropriate and necessary to deter any further attacks and punish those responsible for this unacceptable aggression." Barrot also noted that France's cyber defense doctrine offers various options to officials.
The cyber attacks on supermarkets that occurred in early October were among the most destructive cyber attacks since the onset of the war in Iran in February. This war has been marked by intermittent episodes of digital sabotage. Other incidents include an attack on the Los Angeles transportation system in March and the United States water treatment facilities in July.
The Iranian mission to the United Nations did not respond to requests for comment on Monday. Iran typically denies conducting destructive cyber operations.
Relations between Paris and Tehran have soured in recent years due to Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, regional activities, and the detention of several French citizens. Although relations had improved after the release of these citizens, they deteriorated again with the arrest and expulsion of two French diplomats by Iran last summer. France also expelled Iranian diplomats in response to this action.
French officials say Tehran has increasingly become hostile towards France, particularly due to the country's support for Iran's civil society.
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