Israeli hackers launched a major cyber attack on Iran, work at 70 percent gas stations came to a halt

There is news of a suspicious cyber attack on Iran. According to the information received, due to a major cyber attack on Monday, work at about 70 percent of Iran’s gas stations has come to a standstill.

Iran’s oil minister has expressed fear of foreign interference. According to Iran’s state television channel, there has been irregularity in the functioning of the gas station due to a ‘software problem’.

According to the Times of Israel, a hacking group allegedly linked to Israel has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the report, a hacker group named ‘Gonjeshke Darande’ or ‘Predatory Sparrow’ said that this attack is a response to Iran’s aggressive policy. The hacker group claims to have disabled most of the gas pumps across Iran. “Khamenei, playing with fire has a price,” Chanak said in a statement. Iran’s Oil Minister Javad Ovji also confirmed that the disruption had affected 70 percent of the country’s fuel stations. “At least 30 percent of gas stations are operating, with the rest gradually resolving the disruption in services,” Reuters quoted Owji as saying. Reza Nawar, spokesman for Iran’s Gas Station Association, said experts were solving the problem and it could take some time.

“A software issue with the fuel system has been confirmed in some stations across the country and experts are currently fixing the problem,” he said. He also clarified that the disruption has nothing to do with rumors of fuel shortage in the country. However, he urged people not to visit fuel stations. The oil ministry also told state TV that the disruption was in no way linked to any plans to raise the price of fuel, a policy that led to widespread protests and violent repression in 2019. According to reports, there are about 33,000 gas stations in Iran. Iran’s gas stations, railway system and industries have been hit several times in recent years by cyber attacks. Even the cameras installed to monitor government buildings including jails have been hacked. ‘Gonjeshke Darande’ had hacked the computer system of a major steel company located in the south-west of Iran in 2022. In 2021, there was also a cyber attack on Iran’s fuel distribution system due to which gas stations across the country came to a standstill. Iran had accused America and Israel of being behind this attack.