France blames Iran for refrigerator cyberattacks, vows to respond

French officials have accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guards of orchestrating cyberattacks that disrupted refrigerators and freezers at hundreds of supermarkets across France in October, warning that Tehran would face consequences.

Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Iran’s ambassador had been summoned and warned that France could push for additional EU sanctions over the alleged attacks.

The October 11 incident caused widespread damage, with food supplies, including meat and ice cream, going to waste after refrigeration systems were compromised. The financial losses could reach tens of millions of euros.

A second wave of cyberattacks this month reportedly targeted more than 100 establishments across Europe, including refrigerators at French blood banks, forcing staff to transfer blood supplies to alternative storage facilities.

Iran has denied involvement in malicious cyber operations, while its UN mission did not respond to requests for comment.