TEHRAN - During the opening of an exhibition showcasing domestic civil defense industries, the head of Iran’s Civil Defense Organization, reported that Iranian experts have successfully identified the malware deployed in a recent cyberattack on the country’s fuel distribution system.

Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali cited that the disruption, which occurred at Iran's gas stations on December 18, involved a sophisticated and persistent form of malware, currently under analysis in Iranian laboratories. Drawing a parallel to a complex murder investigation, he emphasized that technical challenges are being addressed to ensure the normal functioning of the fuel distribution system.

Furthermore, General Jalali highlighted that artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in cyberattacks, constituting over 55 percent of global incidents, with more than 30 percent of such assaults targeting Iran being AI-powered. He also underscored the urgent need to modernize Iran's aging nationwide fuel distribution system, emphasizing the necessity for updated and secure connections among processing units, payment systems, and gas stations.

In October 2021, a cyberattack aimed at Iran's fuel distribution infrastructure led to a momentary disruption, promptly mitigated by Iranian experts. The one occurring this month was also neutralized in less than 32 hours, bringing 90% of the affected gas stations to normal. Both attacks have been linked to Israel.