Petrol distributions among Iranian petrol stations returning to normal following a large-scale cyber attack

The IRNA, the state news agency for Iran reports that petrol distribution has returned to normal following a cyber attack that affected 4,300 petrol stations across the nation.  

Disclosed to the news agency by the Secretary of the Supreme Council Abdul-Hassan Firouzabadi, the source of the attack and further details concerning attack are being investigated 

The cyber attack which targeted petrol stations across Iran on the 26th of October 2021, weeks before the anniversary of the 2019 protests that resulted from increased fuel prices, caused disruptions in the sale of the heavily subsidised petrol, resulting in long queues across the nation.   

Iran expressed that they were on high alert for online incidents, for which they have previously blamed US and Israel for. Concurrently, the US and other Western powers have accused Iran of attempting to disrupt their systems.  

Stated by the secretary of Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace, “This attack was probably carried out by a foreign country. It is too early to announce by which country and in which way it was done.”  

A broadcaster from the IRIB (Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting) reported on the day of the breach that “the disruption at the refuelling system of (petrol) stations…in the past few hours, was caused by a cyber-attack” and that “technical experts are fixing the problem and soon the refuelling process…will return to normal”.   

The oil ministry stated that only sales involving smart cards for cheaper, rationed petrol were affected and that fuel remained accessible to customers who could afford petrol at higher prices.  

Industry officials announced to the state TV that almost half of petrol stations had returned to service as technicians rushed to activate manual settings in response to the system being breached by hackers.    

Following the hack, officials guaranteed to the public that there were no fuel shortages and that the remaining stations will resume service by Wednesday mid-day.  

In the past, Iran has been repeatedly subjected to multiple cyber attacks such as one that occurs in July that targeted the website of the transport ministry. 

Also in July, a delay in train services was caused by apparent cyber attacks and in addition to this, hackers posted the number of Mr Khamendei’s office as the number for inquiries to be made.   

Stuxnet, a computer virus discovered in 2010 and is believed to have been developed by the US and Israel was used to target a uranium enrichment facility in Iran. This situation because publicly known as a virus used to breach an industrial organisation.