'Zionist regime's false flag': Iran warns France over supermarket cyberattack

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned France against falling into an Israeli “false flag” trap after Paris accused an Iranian cyber unit of attacking refrigeration systems at hundreds of supermarkets. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi dismissed the French allegations as “ridiculous”, accusing Israel of seeking to turn European countries against Tehran and secure their support. “Paris should beware of the Zionist regime's false flag trap,” Mohebbi wrote on X on Saturday.

He also said that, unlike the United States and Israel, the IRGC did not target civilians. France accused Shahid Kaveh, an offensive cyber unit within the IRGC’s Electronic Warfare and Cyber Defence Organisation, of carrying out the cyber attacks. New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch Sign up to get the latest insights and analysis on Israel-Palestine, alongside Turkey Unpacked and other MEE newsletters The attacks targeted refrigeration control systems at over 700 retail outlets on the night of 11-12 October, causing fires, serious damage and losses of food worth tens of millions of euros, the French foreign ministry said.

Paris said it would summon Iran's ambassador and propose new sanctions against individuals and entities within the European Union. Iran refuses to surrender enriched uranium, threatens to strike US bases in Europe if attacked Read More » Iran's foreign ministry said the allegations were unfounded and that Tehran would take steps to safeguard its national interests and security against illegal actions by foreign countries. The dispute comes amid a continuing confrontation between Iran and the US over the Strait of Hormuz.

On Sunday, Tehran claimed to have attacked a US radar site in Bahrain. The IRGC said it attacked a US air defence radar station with six drones at Riffa Air Base, Iranian state media said. Bahrain's interior ministry issued several warnings about the potential threat and advised locals to take cover. The claim follows a similar announcement by the IRGC on Friday that it had destroyed a US early-warning radar facility in Bahrain. US Central Command (Centcom) rejected Friday’s account, saying American forces had intercepted two Iranian attack drones heading towards Bahrain.

It reported no injuries or damage. Tanker fires The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has also deteriorated, with Iran reporting that oil tankers had struck naval mines and caught fire while attempting to pass through the waterway. The IRGC Navy said early on Sunday that two tankers had exploded and caught fire after striking mines south of the strait. It accused the vessels of attempting to pass through an unauthorised route with their navigation and automatic identification systems switched off.

The announcement followed reports on Saturday of two similar incidents involving tankers in the southern part of the waterway. Reuters reported that Iranian state media had described three tankers catching fire after striking mines on Saturday, including one in the eastern Strait of Hormuz. The IRGC Navy has warned shipping companies against transiting the strait without coordinating with its maritime traffic control centre. Copyright © 2014 - 2026 .

Middle East Eye. All rights reserved. Only England and Wales jurisdiction apply in all legal matters. Middle East Eye ISSN 2634-2456