France has accused Iran of orchestrating a cyberattack that exploited fridges and freezers at supermarkets across Europe including Ireland.
The attacks caused fires and massive food waste with losses estimated at tens of millions of euros.
Ireland was among at least six European countries hit by the wave of cyberattacks targeting supermarket refrigeration systems.
SuperValu said refrigeration systems in 13 of its Irish stores were affected in an incident last week. Chilled and frozen goods were removed from sale as a precaution.
The incidents were also reported in Sweden, Belgium, Luxembourg and Estonia.
It is not yet clear whether all the cyber attacks were perpetrated by Iran or only the attack on French supermarkets. The events appeared very similar.
Following an investigation, France has now attributed the attack to Iran’s Shahid Kaveh cyber-offensive unit, which it said is affiliated with the electronic and cyber centre of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described it as “the first large-scale cyberattack aimed at sabotage on [French] national territory” and promised that the European Union will impose sanctions on those responsible.
The European Commission said that it was in touch with the investigators in France and coordinating with EU member states.
Barrot said France would take “any other proportionate and necessary measures” to respond and deter further attacks.