Kathmandu [Nepal], November 10 – France has accused an Iran-linked cyber group of targeting supermarket refrigeration systems after hackers remotely raised temperatures in hundreds of stores, destroying large quantities of food. However, responsibility for similar incidents reported elsewhere in Europe remains unclear.
The attacks took place on October 11 and 12 affecting around 700 supermarkets across France, according to French authorities. Investigators believe hackers gained unauthorised access to refrigeration control systems and overrode temperature settings. In some units, temperatures reportedly reached 50 degrees Celsius for approximately six hours, making fresh and frozen food unfit for sale. The Associated Press reported that one major supermarket chain estimated its losses at tens of millions of euros in a single day.
France’s national cybersecurity agency, ANSSI, linked the attacks to a cyber unit allegedly affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Investigators cited Persian-language digital traces and internet addresses associated with devices in Iran.
Paris has summoned the Iranian ambassador and announced plans to seek European sanctions against those responsible.
Meanwhile, supermarkets in Belgium, Sweden, Luxembourg and Ireland reported refrigeration disruptions on November 2. Stores operated by Delhaize, Colruyt, ICA, Coop and SuperValu were among those affected.
Authorities have yet to establish whether the latest incidents were connected to the French attacks or identify those responsible, highlighting growing concerns over the vulnerability of digitally controlled food-storage systems.
