France does not rule out any measures in response to cyberattacks attributed to Iran

France does not rule out any measures, including actions that will not be made public, in response to cyberattacks attributed to Iran that targeted, in October, hundreds of internet-connected refrigeration units at supermarkets and other French institutions. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot told FranceinfoTV on Tuesday that the authorities will adopt measures deemed proportionate and necessary to deter further attacks and punish those responsible.

France summoned Iran’s ambassador and supports the imposition of European sanctions. Barrot said that France’s cyberdefense doctrine allows for several types of action, but their details will not be disclosed.

The attack took place during the night of October 11–12 and affected the control mechanisms of refrigeration systems at approximately 700 supermarkets. Refrigeration units at a French blood donation center, Crédit Mutuel Arkéa bank and the Directorate of Public Finance were also targeted.

Paris officially attributed the attack to a cyber unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps called Shahid Kaveh. The Paris prosecutor’s office requested the issuance of international arrest warrants for two of its officials, while investigations into other incidents continue.