Israel launched a cyberattack against an Iran nuclear facility and associated electric power at the site, multiple reports suggest. The cyberattack apparently targeted Iran's main uranium enrichment facility in Natanz, a nuclear site south of Tehran.
The alleged cyberattack apparently was designed to stop Iran from enriching uranium -- a process that can moves Iran closer to weapons-grade level uranium. However, Iran says the nuclear effort is focused on power generation and peaceful use cases, and the country insists it has no desire to develop nuclear weapons.
Israel Cyberattack vs. Iran Nuclear Facility
In a bid to apparently derail Iran's enrichment effort, Israel allegedly launched a cyberattack against the Natanz site. Details so far include:
- A spokesman for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said an "incident" had occurred involving the nuclear facility's power network. Later, the AEIO blamed "sabotage" and "nuclear terrorism." -- though no nuclear leaks were reported. The alleged sabotage occurred one day after Iran's President Hassan Rouhani inaugurated new centrifuges at the Natanz nuclear site. Source: BBC, April 11, 2021.
- Israel's national intelligence agency, known as Mossad was reportedly behind the cyberattack at Natanz. Source: The Jerusalem Post, April 12, 2021.
- The alleged cyberattack surfaces as some world leaders strive to restore a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. President Trump abandoned the deal in 2018. Key steps toward potential restoration include South Korea Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun visiting Iran, and Biden administration talks in Vienna with Iran, mediated by European signatories. Source: Reuters, April 12, 2021.
Stay tuned for potential updates to the timeline.
Return of Stuxnet Malware Worm?
The alleged cyberattack against Iran triggered memories of Stuxnet, a malicious computer worm that allegedly damaged Iran's nuclear program roughly a decade ago. The United States and Israel allegedly developed Stuxnet between 2005 and 2010 or so -- though neither company has confirmed responsibility for the malware worm.
