The key facts

  • The European Commission confirmed recognition of France's attribution of the attack to Iran and expressed readiness for a response, including sanctions.
  • The overnight attack on October 11 affected approximately 700 supermarkets, disrupting their cooling systems.
  • Parisian prosecutors have opened an investigation against the head of the Shahid Kaveh group, linked to the IRGC, and requested international arrest warrants.

Brussels supports Paris and is preparing measures

The European Commission stated on Tuesday that the EU is ready for a 'swift and unified response' following cyberattacks that disrupted the cooling systems of hundreds of French supermarkets. This was announced by an official Commission spokesperson during a briefing in Brussels. Anouar El Anouni. His words were cited by the Anadolu Agency.

What happened and who is accused

According to French authorities, the attack occurred overnight on October 11 and affected approximately 700 supermarkets. France has held Iran responsible, and this issue is expected to be discussed at the upcoming meeting of EU foreign ministers next week. El Anouni confirmed that the EU recognizes France's attribution of the attack and expresses full solidarity with Paris, adding that the bloc will respond to malicious cyber operations 'with all available tools' — including the EU's cyber diplomacy instrument and sanctions. He recalled that in March, the EU already imposed restrictive measures against one Iranian entity for attacks on several countries, particularly Sweden and France, and stated: 'We are working on new cyber sanctions.'

Investigation and Paris's position

Earlier on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barro stated that Paris is considering all options, including measures beyond diplomatic actions and EU sanctions, due to the alleged involvement of a unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the attack. The Paris prosecutor's office has opened an investigation against the head of the Iranian group Shahid Kaveh — a cyber-offensive unit linked to the IRGC's Electronic and Cyber Center — as well as two of his deputies and other unidentified individuals. The prosecutor's office has requested international arrest warrants in the case.