Iran Levels Cyber Attack Accusations at Israel Over Gas Station Glitch
Blasting Israel as the culprit behind a digital sabotage incident, Iran's Oil Minister Javad Ojji condemned the Zionist enemy for allegedly hacking petrol stations across the country. According to Iranian state news agency Irna, Ojji articulated these sentiments, claiming that Israel and America aimed to put strain on the Iranian population due to their failures in other areas. Since early morning, petrol stations nationwide have experienced a software-induced glitch, causing trouble for the smart payment system at fuel pumps. This glitch has resulted in the restriction of about two-thirds of the country's petrol stations, which house an almost 90 million-strong populace.
President Ebrahim Raisi instructed Ojji to rectify the problem immediately and conduct a thorough investigation into its cause. The public must be kept well-informed and apprised of any developments, as stated by the presidential office.
Israeli Hacker Group Takes Responsibility
The Iranian business news agency Ilna reported a potential Israeli hacker attack as the cause of this disruption. The Iranian state refinery company (NIORDC) also acknowledged the problem and revealed that it was working on an expeditious solution. NIORDC stressed that the situation was the consequence of a conspiracy orchestrated by Iran's enemies.
As reported by Israel's newspaper The Times of Israel, a hacker group labeled "Gondscheschk-e Darande" (Robbery Sparrow) claimed responsibility for the incident. The group had allegedly carried out cyber attacks on Iran's steel industry in the past.
Fuel Pricing Concerns
The Tasnim news agency, which maintains affiliation with the powerful Revolutionary Guards, dismissed concerns over possible fuel price hikes or supply shortages. They insisted that the malfunction at the gasoline pumps was merely technical in nature, as communicated via a Telegram post.
Petrol prices in Iran are heavily subsidized by the state. Just four years ago, high petrol prices sparked widespread protests among the working class, which were ultimately suppressed violently by the government.
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- Distressed by the software glitch perpetrated by the suspected hacker attack, the Iranian state refinery company (NIORDC) is relentlessly endeavoring to discover a remedy.
- According to Israel's newspaper The Times of Israel, a hacker group called "Gondscheschk-e Darande" (Robbery Sparrow) declared responsibility for the disruption at filling stations throughout Iran.
- The digital assault on petrol stations in Iran has prompted apprehensions among the population about prospective price hikes and fuel shortages, given that petrol is heavily subsidized by the government.
- Iran's Oil Minister Javad Ojji asserted that Israel and America had orchestrated the hacker attack in response to their failures in other areas, making this accusation in sync with the state news agency Irna's claims.
- Amid ongoing hostilities between Iran and its arch-nemesis Israel, the Middle East remains awash with tension and unrest, with energy resources often serving as the catalyst for geopolitical clashes.
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Enrichment Insights:
Iran has accused Israel of playing a role in several recent cyberattacks, including those that targeted Iran's petrol stations. While there is no conclusive evidence that directly links Israel to the hacking of petrol stations, the broader context of cyberattacks and geopolitical tensions between Iran and Israel makes the accusations plausible, although more evidence would be needed to prove them.
