Wadephul warns Iran against hybrid attacks
G7 foreign ministers coordinate response to cyber attacks on European cooling systems
Quick Look
- Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned Iran against hybrid activities after cyber attacks on European cooling systems and expressed full solidarity with France.
- Germany has not yet decided who is behind the attacks on supermarkets in the Federal Republic.
- The EU Commission called a crisis meeting.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Since mid-October, several European countries have been hit by cyberattacks on refrigeration and freezing systems, including Germany. At the beginning of November, the French blood bank was also the target of such an attack. Several incidents are being investigated in the United States.
Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has warned Iran of hybrid attacks. “Those in power in Tehran should have no illusions about being able to shake our unity through hybrid activities,” said the CDU politician at the end of G7 deliberations. “This will not succeed and we will not tolerate such activities under any circumstances.”
France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made it clear on Monday that his country sees Iran as the mastermind behind the recent cyber attacks on the cooling systems of French supermarket chains. He spoke of an attack “of unprecedented scale and unprecedented aggressiveness.”
Iran denies
Iran rejected the allegations. The allegations are an "irresponsible and ridiculous step" intended to damage the country's reputation and disrupt its relations with other countries, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The German security authorities have not yet determined who is behind the attacks on supermarkets in the Federal Republic.
Vote on reaction
Wadephul expressed full solidarity with France over the attacks. "These perfidious acts of sabotage, which endanger people's safety, show once again the real threat posed by state-controlled cyber attacks." We work closely with our partners to determine an appropriate response.
Barrot himself had brought European sanctions into play, such as freezing funds or entry bans. There could also be non-public answers. Regarding Iran's denial, Barrot said: "Of course they will deny it because they fear our answer."
Several countries affected by cyberattacks
In addition to France, other European countries have been hit by cyber attacks on refrigeration and freezing systems since mid-October, including Germany. Attackers remotely caused the temperature in refrigerators and freezers to rise, causing goods to spoil. Large amounts of food had to be thrown away.
At the beginning of November, the French blood bank was also the target of such an attack. According to US media, several incidents are also being investigated in the United States. The EU Commission called a crisis meeting.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
G7 partners are coordinating an appropriate response to the cyberattacks, possibly including European sanctions.
Likely · Within days
Iran will continue to deny the allegations.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Who exactly is behind the attacks on German supermarkets?
- What concrete response are Germany and the G7 partners planning?
- Will European sanctions be imposed against Iran?
