US investigators are examining whether Iran is behind cyberattacks that targeted water systems in at least seven states. While cyber experts suggest Iran is a probable culprit, some are also considering the possibility that the hackers could have posed as Iranian to create further discord amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Morgan Wright, a former US State Department anti-terror advisor, told the BBC that such attacks are typically attributed to nations like North Korea or Iran, noting that "who are we in conflict with right now? Well, it's Iran. So they become, they go to the top of the listed terms of nations capable, and also having a desire to do something like this."
Despite these assessments, President Donald Trump has publicly stated that Iran is not to blame for the breaches. In contrast, Jake Braun, former acting White House Deputy National Cyber Director, commented that the Trump administration might be hesitant to admit Iranian infiltration of US water infrastructure, even if confirmed, due to its own information warfare efforts.
Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, a Democrat, responded to Trump's remarks at a cabinet meeting, stating, "Trump knows exactly who is responsible for this attack, and knows that other states were hit too." Trump had previously blamed "grossly incompetent" Minnesota officials for the hack.
Iran has not yet officially commented on the accusations. However, Tehran has a history of denying involvement in cyber-attacks, including past allegations concerning water systems, presidential campaigns, hospitals, and a casino company in Las Vegas in 2014. Following accusations in 2016 linking Iran to attacks on banks and a dam near New York City, Iran's foreign ministry spokesman asserted that the US should provide proof and stated that Iran "has never had on its agenda any dangerous measures in cyberspace and does not support such moves."