France Blames Iran's IRGC for Cyberattack Causing Widespread Food Spoilage and Fires in Supermarkets

France has launched an investigation and has accused Iran of orchestrating recent cyberattacks that targeted refrigeration units in supermarkets, leading to significant food waste and fires. French authorities announced on Monday that they are probing a cyber unit affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in connection with these incidents.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot stated that the Iranian ambassador has been summoned and that sanctions against Iran will be pursued at a European level. The Paris prosecutor's office has initiated requests for international arrest warrants for the leader of Shahid Kaveh, an offensive cyber unit linked to the Revolutionary Guards, and his two deputies.

"I can confirm that this attack was carried out by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Barrot confirmed regarding the cyberattacks on French supermarkets that occurred on October 11 and 12. He described the attack as "unprecedented in both its scale and its level of aggression" and reiterated, "We will implement sanctions at the European level against all those responsible for this attack."

Authorities reported that hackers gained internet access to the refrigeration systems and remotely increased temperatures to 50C during the night while stores were closed. This resulted in millions of euros worth of food being spoiled. In some instances, the elevated temperatures triggered fires or damaged equipment.

Several major French supermarket groups were affected, including E-Leclerc, Intermarche, Carrefour, Monoprix, and Cooperative U. Intermarche reported that at least 300 of its stores, along with its Netto brand, were impacted. Cooperative U stated that over 100 of its supermarkets were targeted, Carrefour confirmed 80 supermarkets were affected, and Monoprix indicated that approximately 5 percent of its nearly 490 stores experienced disruptions.