Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has expressed distress over the increasing vulnerability of cyberattacks on Iran fuel stations. Aref’s comments come as the new government, under Prime Minister Masoud Pezeshkian, contemplates raising fuel prices, further complicating an already strained situation.
At recent introduction ceremony for Iran’s new Minister of Oil, Aref voiced strong concerns over recent breaches affecting the country’s oil facilities, including the network connecting fuel stations. These cyberattacks on Iran fuel stations have caused nationwide disruptions in fuel supply, emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced measures in the sector.
Vice President Warns of Cyberattacks on Iran Fuel Stations
Aref criticized the lack of effective response to these incidents, noting that similar attacks have occurred within the past year without substantial changes in the cybersecurity approach. He urged the new Minister of Oil to prioritize addressing these vulnerabilities to prevent further disruptions, reported Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper.
The most recent incident occurred in December 2023, when Iran’s fuel station network was severely compromised. The Iran fuel data breach, which impacted approximately 60% of the country’s 4,396 fuel stations, was initially attributed to hackers linked to Israel and the United States. The Iranian National Organization for Passive Defense revealed that the cyberattack disabled 3,800 stations, causing substantial interruptions in fuel distribution.
The cyberattack on an Iran fuel station was later claimed by a hacking group known as “Predatory Sparrow,” reportedly connected to Israel. The group described the attack as a measured response to what they termed as the Islamic Republic’s “aggressions” in the region.
They emphasized that the attack was carried out with care to avoid harming emergency services and aimed to disrupt the government’s digital fuel distribution system, which provides subsidized fuel to drivers through a monthly allocation card.
Although Iranian officials announced that fuel stations were operational within 48 hours, media reports indicated that distribution issues persisted for several days, affecting many drivers across the country.
Previous Instances of Cyberattacks on Iran Fuel stations
This was not the first instance of such a cyberattack on Iran fuel stations. On October 26, 2021, “Predatory Sparrow” executed a similar attack that disabled 4,300 fuel stations and breached electronic billboards across Tehran. The billboards displayed a provocative message: “Where is the gasoline, Khamenei?” This attack occurred just before the second anniversary of the November 2019 protests, which erupted following a sudden fuel price hike.
The recurring cyberattacks on fuel stations highlight a critical fuel station vulnerability that the Iranian government must address. The ongoing issue underscores the necessity for better cybersecurity measures to protect essential infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
As Iran’s new government grapples with the challenge of raising fuel prices while managing cyber threats, the need for comprehensive security reforms in the oil sector becomes ever more pressing. Vice President Aref’s call to action reflects a growing recognition of the critical importance of safeguarding Iran’s electronic fuel distribution network from future cyberattacks.
