French authorities have launched an investigation into an Iranian cyber unit following attacks that caused widespread food spoilage and fires at hundreds of grocery stores.
Key facts
- •The cyberattack occurred on October 11, targeting refrigeration software used by major French supermarket chains.
- •The Paris prosecutor's office reported that 700 retail locations were affected, resulting in food spoilage and about 20 fires.
- •French authorities identified the Shahid Kaveh unit, linked to Iran's IRGC, as the primary suspect.
- •The French government has summoned the Iranian ambassador to lodge a formal protest.
- •Similar refrigeration hacks were subsequently reported in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Sweden.
French officials have accused Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of orchestrating cyberattacks on commercial refrigeration systems across France last month. The October 11 incident impacted hundreds of retail locations, causing significant food spoilage and triggering approximately twenty fires. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the sabotage as an unprecedented act of aggression, prompting the government to summon the Iranian ambassador to Paris.
By the numbers
Scope of the Cyberattack
The attack targeted software provided by the Danish engineering firm Danfoss, which regulates temperature controls in supermarkets. According to the Paris prosecutor's office, the breach affected 700 retail locations across France, including major chains such as Intermarché, Netto, and Coopérative U. In some instances, temperatures in refrigeration units reportedly rose to 50C (120F) overnight.
Official Investigation and Response
The Paris prosecutor has opened a judicial investigation into the leader and two deputies of an Iranian cyber-offensive unit known as Shahid Kaveh, which is affiliated with the IRGC’s electronic and cyber center. Charges include fraudulent interference with automated data-processing systems and causing damage by dangerous means. Foreign Minister Barrot stated that France intends to impose sanctions and pursue proportionate measures to deter future incidents.
Broader Regional Context
Following the events in France, similar cyberattacks affecting supermarket refrigeration systems were reported in Belgium, Luxembourg, and Sweden. While French officials have not confirmed a link between these incidents, the prosecutor's office noted that the French attacks were carried out to serve a foreign power. Iranian media outlets have reportedly dismissed the allegations as baseless.
Timeline
- AugustRefrigeration outages occurred at six U.S. military bases, prompting an ongoing investigation.
- October 11Hackers gained control of refrigeration software at hundreds of French supermarkets.
- October 12, 2026A view of a closed frozen food aisle was recorded in a supermarket near Nantes following the attack.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Europe, CBS News World.
