Israel-linked activists flex cyber muscles with Iran gas station hack.

December 18, 2023
1 min read

The key points from the article are:

  • An Israel-linked hacker activist group ‘Gonjeshke Darande’ or ‘Predatory Sparrow’ claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on gas stations across Iran.
  • The Iranian Ministry of Energy confirmed that 70% of the country’s gas stations were not operational due to the cyberattack.
  • The group stated the cyberattack was a response to aggression from the Islamic Republic and its proxies in the region.
  • State media in Iran have reportedly stated that the cause of the disruption is unclear.

In a significant cyberattack, an activist group with connections to Israel has claimed responsibility for immobilizing gas stations across Iran, potentially affecting the country’s infrastructure and economy. The group, known as ‘Gonjeshke Darande’ or ‘Predatory Sparrow’, proudly claimed the cyberattack in a public statement.

The effects of the cyberattack have been significant, with up to 70% of gas stations in Iran currently non-functioning as confirmed by Iran’s Ministry of Energy. This disruption has the potential to significantly impact the country’s infrastructure and normal functioning, affecting transportation and logistics across the country.

The hacking group justified the cyberattack in a statement, saying, “This cyberattack comes in response to the aggression of the Islamic Republic and its proxies in the region.” The group also sent a clear message to Iran’s leadership, stating, “Khamenei, playing with fire has a price.”

Interestingly, the group claimed to have left 30% of gas stations operational as a “humanitarian corridor.” This suggests that while the group intended to send a message and cause disruption, they did not aim for total infrastructure devastation.

In contrast, the Iranian state media has reportedly claimed the cause of the gas station disruption remains unclear. This underlines potential differences in narratives and perceptions regarding the event, suggesting possible geopolitical complexities surrounding the incident.

This incident underlines the growing threat and global reach of cyber warfare. Cyberattacks can have significant physical effects, crippling crucial infrastructure and causing widespread disruption, as demonstrated by this incident in Iran.

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