France Accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guard of Hacking Refrigeration Units in 700 Supermarkets and Causing Fires

In a serious development affecting the security and safety of daily supply chains in France, judicial and governmental authorities have officially pointed the finger at a unit linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for orchestrating a massive cyberattack that crippled refrigeration units across hundreds of major supermarkets on the night of October 11 to 12.

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot confirmed that 'the responsibility for this attack lies with the Revolutionary Guard of the Islamic Republic of Iran,' describing the operation as an 'attack of unprecedented scale and aggression never seen before.' The minister announced that Iran's ambassador to Paris had been summoned to lodge a firm protest over this extremely grave action, stressing that France will push to impose sanctions at the European level against those responsible.

Disruption of Refrigeration Units and Store Fires

The digital attacks affected nearly 700 retail sites operated by major chains frequented by millions of residents daily, including 'Système U', 'Intermarché', and 'E.Leclerc'. According to details disclosed by the Paris Public Prosecutor's Office, the hackers managed to breach remote temperature control systems manufactured by 'Danfoss', 'Dixell', and 'Copeland'.

The attackers triggered abnormal, indefinite defrost cycles via web interfaces while disabling alarms and safety sensors designed to warn of temperature spikes. This digital tampering resulted in catastrophic food losses, spoiling tons of goods, and sparked nearly 20 fires in refrigeration installations inside the stores.

Judicial Investigations and Suspicions Surrounding Military Commanders

Paris Public Prosecutor Laure Beccuau announced the opening of a judicial investigation led by the Cybercrime Unit and the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) against the head of the Iranian group 'Shahid Kaveh'—an offensive cyber unit affiliated with the IRGC's Electronic Center—alongside two associates and any other implicated individuals.

The prosecutor's office explained that security investigations identified distinctive digital signatures belonging to this unit, including the use of the Farsi language and IP addresses connected to devices located inside Iranian territory. The prosecution has brought serious charges against the suspects, including hacking automated data processing systems and causing widespread damage through hazardous means within an organized gang, intended to serve a foreign power.

The breach coincided with the targeting of refrigeration facilities in other European countries, as well as three sites belonging to the French Blood Establishment (EFS). However, Vincent Strubel, Director General of the National Cybersecurity Agency of France (ANSSI), noted that it is not possible at this stage to definitively confirm whether the same attacker was responsible for the blood establishment incident, despite similarities in the methods used.