US investigating Iran ties to cyberattack on energy tankers bound for American ports - report
The ships, an oil tanker and a liquefied petroleum gas carrier, were traveling toward ports in Texas when they were targeted in early August, according to vessel-tracking data.
The United States is probing a possible Iranian involvement in cyberattacks on two energy tankers that passed through the Strait of Gibraltar in August, according to The Wall Street Journal. These attacks occurred as vessels were en route to Texas ports, carrying oil and liquefied petroleum gas. The Wall Street Journal, citing US officials, reports that one of the ships, the VL Prosperity, was transporting over two million barrels of oil when it was targeted.
A specialized US Coast Guard team, in collaboration with FBI agents, boarded both vessels upon their arrival in the Gulf of Mexico. The Coast Guard's Cyber Command, led by Rear Adm. Amy Grable, examined the ships' information technology and operational systems after detecting signs of compromised networks. Grable stated that the cyber response teams spent three to four days aboard the vessels, ensuring their safe continued operation.
Grable cautioned that cyberattacks on modern tankers pose significant risks. She explained that if an attacker breaches and controls a ship's interconnected IT systems, the crew could lose control over the vessel, potentially leading to mishaps, collisions, fires, or explosions. The threat is especially concerning given the volatile cargo and the sensitive nature of managing the atmosphere within fuel tanks.
While Iranian state media reported in August that hackers had infiltrated the VL Prosperity's engine-room systems, causing various system malfunctions, no organization claimed responsibility for the attack, and the Wall Street Journal was unable to independently verify these claims. The VL Prosperity was later cleared for normal operations after US authorities conducted a cybersecurity inspection.
The investigation into these incidents comes as maritime routes have become a focal point in the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran. Previous attacks on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have led to considerable disruption. The US has not publicly attributed the cyberattacks to Iran, but the potential consequences of such attacks on vital shipping lanes are of grave concern to US officials.
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