According to Iranian state TV, approximately 70% of gas stations in Iran were disrupted on Monday, potentially due to sabotage, which could refer to cyber attacks.

According to the report, a “software issue” was responsible for the inconsistency at the gas stations. The report advises against rushing to the stations that are currently functioning.

The issue was attributed to an alleged cyber attack by a group called “Gonjeshke Darande” or predatory sparrow, according to Israeli media sources such as the Times of Israel.

According to a statement from the Oil Ministry, over 30% of gas stations are still operating. There are approximately 33,000 gas stations in the country.

Iran has experienced a string of cyberattacks on its fuel stations, railway network, and industrial sector in recent years. In addition, surveillance cameras in government facilities, such as prisons, have also been breached in previous incidents.

In the year 2022, a hacking group known as “Gonjeshke Darande” targeted a significant steel company located in the southwestern region of the country. In 2021, a cyberattack on Iran’s fuel distribution system caused widespread disruption, resulting in frustrated drivers waiting in lengthy queues at gas stations. The same hacking group has taken credit for this attack on the fuel pumps.

In the late 2000s, it is widely believed that the Stuxnet computer virus, which disrupted thousands of Iranian centrifuges at nuclear sites, was created by the U.S. and Israel. As a result, the country disconnected a significant portion of its government infrastructure from the internet.

Due to ongoing sanctions from the Western world, Iran is encountering challenges in obtaining modern hardware and software. As a result, they often turn to Chinese-made electronics or outdated systems that are no longer receiving updates from manufacturers. This could potentially make them vulnerable to cyber attacks. In Iran, it is common to find pirated versions of Windows and other software being used.

Source: wral.com