French Foreign Minister: We do not exclude any option in sanctioning those who cyber-attack supermarkets
Barrot stated that a unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the attack and emphasized that the EU would take part in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations.
Quick Look
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot reiterated that the 'Shahid Kaveh' unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards was behind the cyber attack that targeted more than 700 supermarkets on October 11-12.
- Barrot said that sanctions would be imposed across Europe against Iran and that the EU would take part in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
A cyber attack was carried out to sabotage the cooling systems of more than 700 supermarkets in France on October 11-12. French Foreign Minister Barrot stated that the cyber operations unit called 'Shahid Kaveh' affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Army was behind the attack. He also rejected claims that the EU was excluded from the US-mediated negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in Abu Dhabi.
French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot evaluated the issues related to the agenda in the television program he attended on France Info.
Barrot reiterated that the cyber operations unit called "Shahid Kaveh" affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps was behind the cyber attack that targeted the cooling systems of more than 700 supermarkets in France on October 11-12.
Stating that this is the first time such a large-scale attack has been carried out for sabotage purposes across the country, Barrot stated that they have taken action to impose sanctions across Europe against those who carried out the attack.
Barrot reminded that Iran's Ambassador to Paris will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this context, and noted that sanctions such as banning entry to European territory, freezing the assets of those who organized the attack and blocking their financial movements are on the table and "no option is excluded."
In addition, Barrot emphasized that Russia is the main threat to Europe due to its war in Ukraine, but Iran also poses a threat to Europe's security interests due to the failure of nuclear negotiations to reach a solution and its attacks targeting supermarket chains.
Message: We will be at the table in Ukraine negotiations
Rejecting the allegations that the European Union (EU) was excluded from the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to be held in Abu Dhabi under the mediation of the USA, Barrot said, "France, England and Germany will be in the hall (where the negotiations will be held)." he said.
Barrot was also critical of US President Donald Trump's statements that any agreement with Russia would create a new security architecture that would cover all of Europe beyond Ukraine.
Arguing that future projections regarding the security of Europe are not possible until a ceasefire and peace is achieved in Ukraine, Barrot said that "the security of Europe cannot be decided without Europe."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Sanctions will be imposed across Europe against Iran.
Very likely · Within days
Iran's Ambassador to Paris will be summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Very likely · Within days
The European Union will take part in Russian-Ukrainian negotiations.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- When will sanctions come into force?
- How much damage was caused to supermarket cooling systems as a result of the attack?
- What will be France's full role in EU negotiations?
