Government spokesman asserts no significant damage caused; unconfirmed reports say Iranian ports, banking system also targeted Illustrative: A cybersecurity expert stands in front of a map of Iran as he speaks to journalists about the techniques of Iranian hacking, September 20, 2017, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP/Kamran Jebreili) Illustrative: A cybersecurity expert stands in front of a map of Iran as he speaks to journalists about the techniques of Iranian hacking, September 20, 2017, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP/Kamran Jebreili)
Iran on Wednesday reported a “large-scale” cyberattack against two unspecified government institutions.
A spokesperson quoted by the official IRNA news agency said the attack did not cause any significant damage and was being investigated. He said the country has dealt with larger attacks in the past.
Unconfirmed reports in Iranian media earlier pointed to possible attacks on ports and banking, according to US-funded Radio Farda.
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Government officials told Iranian media outlets: “Despite rumors circulating in cyberspace and some media outlets, there has been no evidence of widespread attacks on various government agencies.”
The reports came after a major cyberattack in May at Iran’s Bandar Abbas port that was blamed on Israel. The Shahid Rajaee port facility near the Iranian coastal city of Bandar Abbas. (Iran Ports and Maritime Organization)
Israel has long accused Iran of using the port for military purposes to aid terrorists elsewhere in the Middle East, including the Jewish state’s foes Hamas and Hezbollah, with the IDF intercepting some of the shipments.
The May attack attributed to Israel was apparently in response to an alleged Iranian attempt to hack into Israel’s water infrastructure system.
According to a New York Times report in May, the port was specifically chosen as a non-central target with the goal of sending a message more than to inflict actual damage, the report said.
Israel’s security firms and agencies have reportedly been preparing for a potential Iranian or Iran-linked cyberattack in response to the attack on the port.
Agencies contributed to this report.