France Accuses Iran of Supermarket Refrigerator Cyberattacks

France has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of carrying out a major cyberattack campaign that disrupted supermarket refrigeration systems across the country. The attacks affected approximately 700 retail locations, causing food losses, equipment damage and fires.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced the government’s findings on November 9, describing the incident as an unprecedented act of cyber sabotage against French interests. The government says the operation was carried out by Shahid Kaveh, a cyber unit affiliated with the IRGC.

The France supermarket cyberattack has raised concerns about the growing threat posed by hackers who target connected equipment rather than conventional computer networks.

How Hackers Disrupted Refrigeration Systems

The attacks took place during the night of October 11 and 12. According to French authorities, hackers gained remote access to refrigeration controllers used by supermarkets and other retail businesses.

These systems regulate the temperature of commercial refrigerators and freezers. By interfering with their controls, attackers were reportedly able to raise temperatures and activate defrost cycles, leaving food exposed to unsafe conditions.

The resulting disruption affected fresh and frozen products. Some refrigeration equipment also caught fire after being compromised.

France’s government reported that the campaign caused material damage and food losses estimated at several tens of millions of euros. The scale of the incident made it one of the country’s most serious reported cyber sabotage operations.

France Identifies an Iranian Military Cyber Unit

French authorities attributed the attacks to Shahid Kaveh, which they describe as an offensive cyber unit connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Investigators examined several digital clues, including infrastructure used during the operation, technical links to other activities and traces of Persian-language use. The Paris prosecutor’s office has also opened an investigation into the unit’s leadership and other individuals suspected of involvement.

France has summoned Iran’s ambassador to formally communicate its condemnation. The government also plans to propose additional European sanctions against individuals and organizations connected to the attacks.

Barrot said France would consider further measures, including actions that might not be made public.

Iran Rejects France’s Accusations

Iran has strongly denied responsibility for the cyberattacks. Its government described the French accusations as baseless and politically motivated.

The disagreement adds another layer of tension to an already difficult relationship between Paris and Tehran. France maintains that its investigators have established Iran’s responsibility, while Tehran rejects the allegations.

The accusations could also have wider diplomatic consequences if other European governments support France’s proposed sanctions.

A Warning for Europe’s Critical Infrastructure

The incident has highlighted how cyberattacks can create physical damage without directly targeting traditional infrastructure such as power stations or transportation networks.

Commercial refrigeration systems are essential to food storage and distribution. Similar equipment is also used in healthcare facilities, blood banks and pharmaceutical supply chains.

Other European countries have reported attacks affecting refrigeration systems, while a separate incident involving French blood bank equipment raised concerns about the safety of temperature-sensitive medical supplies. The wider incidents have increased pressure on businesses and public institutions to review their cybersecurity protections.

The France supermarket cyberattack demonstrates that connected industrial equipment can become a target in international disputes. As governments investigate the incidents and consider their responses, protecting everyday infrastructure is becoming an increasingly important part of national security.