Iran is likely to launch cyber attacks on Western businesses in retaliation for Trump withdrawing from the nuclear deal, security experts warn

  • Iran angry that U.S. will impose sanctions after dumping the nuclear deal
  • Western financial and energy firms, infrastructure and government most at risk
  • More than 50 hackers are already competing to be involved in the strike
  • Iran would use its capability to deter other countries from imposing sanctions
  • Has previously attacked banks after 2012 sanctions and hurt a Las Vegas casino 

By Nic White For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Iran is likely to launch cyber attacks on Western countries 'within months' in retaliation for the U.S. ripping up the nuclear deal, experts warn.

'All bets are off' with Donald Trump's move to reinstate tough sanctions as the Islamic regime was angry and saw no reason not to use its capabilities in response.

Most at risk were banks and financial services, government departments, critical infrastructure providers, and oil and energy firms.

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the US would walk away from the Iran nuclear deal, calling it 'disastrous' and an 'embarrassment'

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's ditching the Iran nuclear deal, calling it 'disastrous' and an 'embarrassment'

 'I have ordered Iran's atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before,' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said

 'I have ordered Iran's atomic organization that whenever it is needed, we will start enriching uranium more than before,' Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said

Planning for suck attacks was likely already underway, according to intelligence received by researchers at cyber security firm Recorded Future.

They said a former Iranian state-backed hacker revealed more than 50 operatives were competing for government-directed cyber attacks.

'Iran will likely respond quickly by launching destructive attacks on American, European, and rival nation (such as Saudi Arabia and Israel) businesses,' its report said.

Recorded Future Iran expert Levi Gundert said the regime would want not only revenge but to deter other countries from imposing sanctions.

'They've developed this ability over the last years and there's no reason for them not to use it now,' he said.

Iran is likely to launch cyber attacks on Western countries 'within months' in retaliation for the U.S. ripping up the nuclear deal, experts warn

Iran is likely to launch cyber attacks on Western countries 'within months' in retaliation for the U.S. ripping up the nuclear deal, experts warn

Trump signed a document on Tuesday reinstating sanctions against Iran after announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal

Trump signed a document on Tuesday reinstating sanctions against Iran after announcing the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal

Emmanuel macron
Theresa May
Angela Merkel

French President Emmanuel Macron, British Prime Minister Theresa May and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Tuesday that their countries will remain in the Iran nuclear deal

'They want to try to induce other countries to think about repercussions before levying sanctions, and they have a real capability in the cyber domain.'

Iran has flexed its digital muscles before with devastating denial of service attacks on U.S. financial services in 2012 after Barrack Obama hit it with sanctions.

Then in 2014 it unleashed US$40 million in data destruction on the Sands Casino in Las Vegas after its billionaire Israeli owner Sheldon Adelson advocated testing an atomic bomb in Nevada as a warning to Iran.

Iran also conducts regular cyber espionage against Western targets, but has not made any attacks since the nuclear deal was signed in 2015. 

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