The U.S. Launched Cyber Attack Against Iran’s Missile Systems
Don Wood – MessageToEagle.com – The U.S. Cyber Command has launched a cyber attack on Iran’s missile systems.
The attack was in response to the downing of an unmanned US surveillance drone last Thursday.
According to Washington Post, “the White House declined to comment, as did officials at U.S. Cyber Command. Pentagon spokeswoman Elissa Smith said: “As a matter of policy and for operational security, we do not discuss cyberspace operations, intelligence or planning.”
Image credit: Reuters
“This operation imposes costs on the growing Iranian cyberthreat, but also serves to defend the United States Navy and shipping operations in the Strait of Hormuz,” said Thomas Bossert, a former senior White House cybersecurity official in the Trump administration.
“Our U.S. military has long known that we could sink every IRGC vessel in the strait within 24 hours if necessary. And this is the modern version of what the U.S. Navy has to do to defend itself at sea and keep international shipping lanes free from Iranian disruption.”
As Technology Review reports, “there is much we still don’t know about the attack: how it was carried out, exactly what the target was, how it worked technically, and so on. However, it’s a clear example of the way the lines between physical and digital warfare are blurring. Last month Israel launched a missile attack on Hamas operatives it said were engaged in cyber warfare, for example.
In this image released by the US Air Force, a RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned surveillance drone sits in a hangar on February 17, 2019, at Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates US AIR FORCE/AFP
President Trump had previously stated “Iran made a very big mistake” by shooting down the US surveillance drone over the Strait of Hormuz. Trump first ordered a bombing strike against three targets in Iran, but changed his mind at the last minute.
No people were inquired in the attack. U.S. Officials told officials told the Wall Street Journal this was a swift and effective operation, something Iran denies today.
Reuters reports, “Iran said on Monday U.S. cyber attacks on its military had failed, while also hinting that it could be willing to discuss new concessions with Washington if the United States were to lift sanctions and offer new incentives.
Allies of the United States have been calling for steps to defuse the crisis, saying they fear a small mistake on either side could trigger war.
“We are very concerned. We don’t think either side wants a war, but we are very concerned that we could get into an accidental war and we are doing everything we can to ratchet things down,” British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said.
Written by Don Wood – MessageToEagle.com Staff
