France Summons Iranian Ambassador Over Supermarket Refrigerator Cyberattacks

PARIS, Nov 10: France summoned Iran’s ambassador on Tuesday to protest cyberattacks targeting refrigeration systems at hundreds of supermarkets, which French authorities have attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

The French Foreign Ministry confirmed that the ambassador was received earlier Tuesday by the ministry’s secretary-general at the Quai d’Orsay, the headquarters of France’s Foreign Ministry.

“The summoning of the Iranian ambassador, announced by the minister yesterday, took place this morning,” the ministry said.

The diplomatic move follows accusations by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot that the IRGC was responsible for a series of cyberattacks carried out on October 11 and 12, which affected refrigeration control systems at more than 700 supermarket locations across France.

According to French authorities, hackers remotely manipulated refrigeration systems, causing temperatures to rise and resulting in extensive food spoilage, material damage and fires. The losses were estimated at tens of millions of euros.

France described the operation as an unprecedented large-scale cyber campaign aimed at sabotage on its national territory.

The country's cybersecurity authorities attributed the attacks to Shahid Kaveh, an offensive cyber unit affiliated with the IRGC's Electronic and Cyber Centre. Paris prosecutors have opened a judicial investigation and requested international arrest warrants for the unit's leader and two deputies.

France has also announced plans to propose European Union sanctions against Iranian individuals and entities allegedly involved in the attacks.

Germany has also condemned the attacks, expressing solidarity with France and warning Tehran against what it described as destabilizing activities.

In a statement posted on X on Monday, Germany’s Foreign Ministry said: “We strongly condemn the cyberattacks by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, as attributed by France.”

“We have repeatedly asked Iran to stop its destabilizing behavior. Such attacks are unacceptable,” the ministry added.

Berlin said it would defend its security and values against threats in both digital and physical environments, declaring its solidarity with Paris.

The French accusations have added to tensions between Tehran and European governments over cybersecurity and alleged Iranian intelligence and military-linked operations