Iran rejects French claim it was behind supermarket cyberattack

Tehran/Paris: Iran has dismissed as “baseless and malicious” France’s accusation that it was involved in a cyberattack that disrupted refrigeration systems at hundreds of French supermarkets in October.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as a “threadbare” policy of blaming Iran for such incidents. It said the allegation was part of a broader pattern intended to divert attention from France’s “destructive policies” toward Iran and the wider West Asia region.

The ministry called the accusation an “irresponsible and silly action” aimed at damaging Iran’s international image and harming its relations with other countries. It added that Iran would take “necessary and appropriate” measures to protect its national interests and security against what it termed illegal foreign activities.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had said on Monday that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was responsible for the cyberattack. Speaking in Paris after a meeting of Group of Seven foreign ministers, he said France had summoned Iran’s ambassador to lodge a strong protest over the incident.

Tehran’s response came as European governments stepped up cooperation on cybersecurity following a series of recent attacks across the continent.

In Italy, the Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday that it would strengthen cybersecurity coordination, information sharing and investment in protective systems. The decision followed a meeting of the National Committee for Public Order and Security, chaired by Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi.

Officials reviewed the resilience of Italy’s systems, the continuity of essential services and the methods used in recent attacks. The ministry said investigators had identified a common intent behind the incidents: to create instability, spread alarm and damage the reputation of targeted institutions.

The committee also examined wider cybersecurity threats and discussed additional measures to protect public administration, critical infrastructure, businesses and citizens.

Among the steps agreed were closer coordination between police, intelligence services and cybersecurity agencies; greater information-sharing with public and private operators; and increased investment in system protection and incident-response capabilities.

(Inputs from IANS)