Iranian WiFi networks reportedly down after Israeli hackers claim attack
A renowned Israeli hacking group claimed credit for attacking Iranian internet providers ahead of social media reports overnight that internet access was down in parts of the country. “In the next few minutes we will attack systems and internet providers in Iran,” WeRedEvils posted on Telegram Thursday evening.
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The Jerusalem Post was first to cover the “reported collapse” of some Iranian networks, specifying WiFi instead of fixed line, and citing “many comments in Iran from users saying they had heard the internet was down in parts of the country and that there were internet blackouts in certain parts of Tehran.”
Early this morning, the hacking group posted again on Telegram, saying “we successfully broke into the Iranian communications system and collected a lot of information that was passed on to the security forces in Israel. We know there are some Iranians here who support the Revolutionary Guards, and we would like to contact them personally. Stop raising red flags and start raising a white flag.”
WeRedEvils has claimed credit for hacking Iran’s state infrastructure before, with a reported 2023 attack on the electricity grid. “This is a message from us to Iran,” they said at the time, “don’t play with fire. The next strike will be harder with many more harmed, and it will be different from the cyber attacks that you’re familiar with.”
Reports from Iran are uncertain, and it remains unclear as to the extent of any attack and WiFi “collapse”as claimed. Public communication networks are patchy across the country at the best of times, with many users relying on public cellular rather than fixed line connectivity.
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This news comes as Iran is reportedly preparing to avenge the attack in Tehran that killed Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday, and which has been attributed to Israel’s military. While a missile strike had been widely reported, an investigation by The New York Times cites regional sources claiming it was “an explosive device covertly smuggled into the Tehran guesthouse” some months ago.
It being the start of the weekend in Iran, we will see if any firmer reports emerge from inside the country through the rest of the day.
