The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, attributed the computer attacks that affected nearly 700 establishments in October to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. Paris summoned the Iranian ambassador and anticipated measures against those responsible.

First modification: 11/09/2026 - 18:28 Last modification: 11/09/2026 - 19:26

France on Monday accused Iran of being behind a series of cyber attacks that affected the refrigeration systems of hundreds of supermarkets and other commercial establishments during October. The French Foreign Minister, Jean-Noël Barrot, blamed the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and announced that Paris will promote sanctions at European level against those responsible.

The accusation received the support of the head of diplomacy of the European Union (EU), Kaja Kallas, who warned that computer attacks against European countries must have a "strong" response if the responsibility of certain actors is confirmed. The high representative pointed out that the EU Foreign Affairs Council, scheduled for next Monday, will allow the case to be addressed and possible community measures to be studied.

"We have now learned that these incidents have been attributed to Iran. Until now we did not know that attribution," declared Kallas in Paris, where he is participating in the G7 foreign ministers' meeting. The official did not confirm whether Brussels is preparing sanctions against Tehran, but called for greater international cooperation to exchange information and respond to cyber threats.

Nearly 700 establishments affected

According to Barrot, the attacks of October 11 and 12 affected nearly 700 distribution group facilities in France. Hackers manipulated the temperature controls of commercial cold rooms and freezers, leading to breakdowns, loss of merchandise, and even fires at some establishments.

"It is an attack of unprecedented breadth and aggressiveness. It is the first large-scale sabotage cyberattack on French territory," said the French minister. He also maintained that the operation constitutes an attack against national interests and the security of the population.

The effects were especially visible in supermarkets, where employees had to remove large quantities of spoiled food, including meat and frozen products. According to estimates by traders cited by Reuters, economic damage could reach tens of millions of euros across the country.

France summoned the Iranian ambassador to convey a formal protest. Barrot assured that the attack "will not remain without consequences" and anticipated that, in addition to European sanctions, the Government will adopt other measures that it considers necessary to respond and deter new operations. French Justice also opened an investigation.

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The investigation points to a unit linked to the Revolutionary Guard

The Paris Prosecutor's Office is investigating the possible involvement of the Iranian group Shahid Kaveh, a cyber operations unit linked to the Revolutionary Guard. The investigations are directed against the person responsible, two deputies and other possible people involved. Several international arrest warrants were issued within the framework of the investigation.

The attacks were not limited to France. In the following days, similar incidents were recorded in other European countries and a new wave affected more than a hundred establishments. In French territory, the cooling systems of blood banks were also hit, forcing part of the reserves to be transferred to other facilities to guarantee their conservation.

The repetition of these episodes increased concern about the vulnerability of essential infrastructure and services to computer operations. Kallas argued that cyber attacks are part of a broader set of tactics used by Europe's adversaries and argued that international law should also apply to cyberspace and the development of artificial intelligence.

For the moment, Iran has not publicly responded to the French accusations. The country often denies involvement in malicious cyber operations. The eventual European response will depend on the conclusions of the investigations and the decisions adopted by the Member States at the next Foreign Affairs Council.

With information from Reuters and EFE.

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