France weighs sanctions as it blames Iran for supermarket refrigerator cyberattacks linked to fires and major food losses
Stores hit by destructive attacks
The French Cyber Crisis Coordination Centre reported that hackers interfered with refrigeration controllers across more than 700 grocery stores. The affected groups included Casino, Leclerc, Coopérative U, Metro, Carrefour and Intermarché.
The incidents led to at least 15 fires and spoiled food valued in the tens of millions of euros, the centre said. France described the operation as an unusually large campaign focused on causing damage inside the country.
France identifies Iranian unit
French authorities attributed the intrusions to the Shahid Kaveh cyber unit, which they associate with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Officials say the unit is led by Reza Salarvand and Mahdi Lashgarian, and is also known through personas including CyberAv3ngers.
The French report cited overlapping infrastructure used to examine Schneider Electric equipment, as well as Persian-language traces found by investigators. It also said a media outlet reportedly linked to the unit publicized the supermarket incidents soon after they occurred.
Possible sanctions and wider concern
France said it would consider responses through the European Union and with international partners, including proposed sanctions against Iranian people and organizations involved. It also plans to deliver a formal condemnation to Iran’s ambassador, while reserving the option of additional measures.
Comparable attacks on commercial fridges and freezers were reported in Belgium, Ireland, Luxembourg and Sweden in early November, where stores experienced significant food losses. The US government has also urged operators to improve protections against similar incidents.
Key points
- France linked attacks on refrigeration systems at more than 700 stores to an Iranian cyber unit.
- The reported damage included at least 15 fires and food losses worth tens of millions of euros.
- Paris is considering EU sanctions and says other responses remain possible.
- Similar refrigerator incidents were reported in four other European countries.