Iran has strongly rejected accusations by France that it was behind a major cyberattack targeting refrigerators and freezers at hundreds of supermarkets across the country. French officials alleged that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) carried out the hacking operation in October 2026. However, Tehran described the allegations as baseless and hostile, denying any involvement in the incident.
According to French authorities, the cyberattack took place on October 11 and 12 and affected approximately 700 supermarkets across France. Hackers allegedly gained remote access to refrigeration systems and changed their temperature settings, causing food products to spoil and resulting in significant financial losses. In some locations, the increased temperatures reportedly triggered fires and damaged refrigeration equipment. French investigators have linked the suspected operation to an Iranian cyber unit known as Shahid Kaveh.
Following the incident, France summoned Iran’s ambassador and announced plans to seek European Union sanctions against those responsible. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that his country could take further measures, including possible cyber responses, if necessary. Meanwhile, Iran has rejected the accusations, increasing diplomatic tensions between the two countries. Investigations are continuing to establish responsibility for the attack and determine whether similar incidents reported in other European countries are connected.
