French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran is behind a series of cyberattacks on refrigeration units in French supermarkets. Barrot emphasised that the investigation into these attacks is still ongoing.
According to available information, the attacks took place in the night of 11 to 12 October. These were targeted cyber operations aimed at cooling systems in stores, raising concerns about potential impacts on daily operations and supply security.
French authorities announced that they would summon the Iranian ambassador for talks. In addition, France will seek to ensure that the perpetrators are covered by appropriate sanctions at the European level, aiming to send a clear signal that such attacks will not be tolerated.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas stated that the upcoming meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, scheduled for 16 November, will provide an opportunity to discuss cyberattacks occurring across Europe. Kallas added: “If they are held responsible, our response should be stronger.”
The statements come at a time when the issue of cybersecurity is increasingly emerging as one of the key topics within the European Union. France, according to its foreign minister, insists that those responsible be identified and that concrete measures follow, including those at the level of the entire Union.
