Offensive cyber-strikes against Iran reportedly disabled its computer systems that control rocket and missile launches on Thursday night, when the military attack was called off by President Donald Trump.
President Trump approved the cyber offensive against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Washington Post reported, citing people familiar with the matter. Although the attack came after Iran had shot down an American surveillance drone, it had reportedly been months in the making. The strike was conducted by US Cyber Command in coordination with Central Command, which is in charge of US military activity in the Middle East.
The cyber-attack reportedly crippled Iran’s military command and control systems, although there were no comments from Tehran either confirming or denying it. The White House also warned about possible cyber-attacks in retaliation. US media have reported that Iranian hackers are threatening US computer systems this week, citing companies that had previously warned about seemingly ubiquitous Russian hackers.
However, this is something highly unlikely to happen.
“Regardless of any decision [US officials] make… we will not allow any of Iran’s borders to be violated. Iran will firmly confront any aggression or threat by America,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Abbas Mousavi said on Saturday.