Cyberattack cripples Iran gas stations

Thousands of drivers in Iran inserted their government-issued electronic cards to buy fuel only to be declined by a flashing message on the pump screen: “cyberattack 64411.” State media reported long lines of motorists waiting for gas as stations shut down. Most Iranians depend on government-subsidized gas amid economic shortages due to ongoing U.S. sanctions. The semiofficial news agency ISNA reported on the cyberattack message but then took down the article and claimed it had also been hacked. The Oil Ministry is convening an emergency meeting to address the shortage.

Who is behind this? No one has claimed responsibility for an attack, but the number is the same message that hackers displayed during a railroad hacking in July. An Israeli cybersecurity firm tracked down the culprits as an Iranian dissident group called Indra after the Hindu god of war. “64411” is a number associated with an Islamic law hotline in the office of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Electronic billboards across the country challenged Khamenei, asking “Where is our gas?”

Dig deeper: Listen to cybersecurity professor Paul Poteete discuss international cyberattacks.