France has accused Iran of orchestrating cyberattacks that targeted refrigerators and food-cooling systems in major supermarkets across the country, causing millions of euros worth of food to spoil.
Speaking at a press conference, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the attacks were carried out by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
Barrot described the incident as unprecedented in both its scale and severity, adding that France would push for European-level sanctions against those involved.
“We will impose sanctions at the European level, targeting all those who took part in this attack,” he said.
The cyberattack, which occurred last month, caused temperatures inside refrigeration and cooling units at hundreds of supermarkets across France to rise, damaging fresh and frozen food worth millions of euros.
Last week, several supermarket chains in seven other European countries were also reportedly hit by cyberattacks targeting their refrigeration systems.
It remains unclear whether the incidents across the different countries are connected. Iran has not yet responded to the accusations made by Barrot.
In a separate development announced on Monday, the Paris Prosecutor’s Office said an investigation had been opened into the head of a cyberwarfare unit linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.