France requests arrest warrants for Iranian suspects over supermarket cyberattack

France has requested international arrest warrants for three Iranian men following cyberattacks on October 11-12 that targeted commercial refrigeration systems. According to the Times of India, French authorities identified Shahid Kaveh, an offensive cyber unit affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as responsible for the operation.

The attacks affected approximately 700 establishments, including supermarkets, butcher shops, a slaughterhouse, and food-processing factories, by remotely altering temperature settings. This resulted in widespread food spoilage and at least 15 reported fires.

The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs described the operation as an act of unprecedented scale and aggressiveness. The Korea Times and Gulf News report that similar incidents were reported in at least 11 other European countries in early November. In response, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has summoned Iran's ambassador and is seeking European-level sanctions, stating that Paris will take all measures deemed necessary to deter further attacks.

Tehran has rejected the allegations, with RFI English describing the claims as "baseless and malicious." The Korea Times and Gulf News report that Iran's foreign ministry called the accusations one-sided and condemned the policy of leveling such claims against the Islamic Republic. Middle East Eye reports that Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi mocked the French government for being unable to manage fridges and accused Paris of shifting blame for its own failures.

Brief written by urgent.news from RFI English, Times of India, Middle East Eye, The Korea Times, Gulf News — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.