Israel Suspected in Crippling Cyberattacks on Iranian Infrastructure

Amid the ongoing escalation of conflict in the Middle East, Iran has suffered large-scale cyberattacks that have impacted nearly all three branches of government and targeted the nation’s nuclear facilities.

As a result of the attacks on Iran on October 12, the judicial, legislative, and executive branches were affected. Confidential information was stolen from government departments, and the country’s nuclear facilities, fuel distribution systems, municipal networks, transportation, ports, and other critical sectors were compromised.

The backdrop for these cyberattacks was Israel’s warning following Iran’s missile strike on October 1. The attacks also coincided with the expansion of U.S. sanctions against Iran’s oil and petrochemical sectors. These sanctions were imposed in response to the missile barrage on Israel and were aimed at limiting Iran’s economic capabilities that could support its nuclear and missile programs.

Earlier in October, it was reported that Israel had hacked the communication network of the control tower at Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, preventing an Iranian plane from landing, forcing it to return to Tehran. This incident occurred amid heightened tensions related to flights from Iran to Lebanon.