The Israeli Army Radio has reported that a hacking group associated with Israel carried out a cyber attack against gas stations in Iran.
The group, which calls itself "Predatory Sparrow," has posted extensive schedules containing information about the targeted gas stations that were shut down, as well as details about payment systems and gas station management systems.
In two statements published on the Telegram app in Persian and English, the hacking group said, "This cyber attack was conducted in a precise manner to avoid causing any potential harm to emergency services."
According to the statement, the attack is a "response to the assaults from the Islamic Republic and its agents in the region."
The "Times of Israel" pointed out that the statements from the hacking group issued a warning to Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, stating that "playing with fire has a price."
Iranian media outlets have reported that the group previously claimed responsibility for cyber-attacks targeting gas stations, railway networks, and steel factories within the country.
Last year, the group released a video showing an explosion, which they claimed was inside a steel factory and was the result of a "cyber breach" they had executed.
In Iran, Oil Minister Javad Owji announced that the internet systems used at fuel stations had suffered an Israeli cyber attack.
Accusing "the United States and the Zionist enemy" of being behind the assault, he affirmed that "they intended to inflict suffering on the people" but assured that "this conspiracy will soon be thwarted."
During his inspection of gas stations in Tehran, Owji mentioned that after the cyber attack, which caused 60% of the fuel supply stations to malfunction through electronic systems and smart cards, 30% had been reactivated using a manual system.
The minister indicated that all gas stations across Iran would be restored to service within a few hours.
Iranian media highlighted that the service disruption began early on Monday and had a significant impact in Tehran, forcing many gas stations to operate manually.
Reciprocal Attacks
In late 2021, a major cyber attack disrupted the sale of subsidized gasoline in Iran, leading to long queues at stations throughout the country.
In the context of cyber warfare, Israel today accused Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah of being behind a cyber intrusion targeting a medical center's website in Safed three weeks ago.
Israel's internet unit said the attack was foiled, but the intruders managed to obtain "some sensitive information stored on the hospital's information systems."
