Iran says cyber attack targeted country's ports

One of the targets of two cyber attacks on Iranian government infrastructure this week was the electronic systems of the country's ports, a state-linked news agency reported.

The Islamic republic's Information Technology Organisation said on Thursday two government institutions had been hacked without giving any further details on the targets or perpetrators.

The Ports and Maritime Organisation said on Thursday the electronic infrastructure governing the country's ports had been targeted, according to a statement carried by the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

"Sworn enemies have been trying for some time to carry out cyberattacks," the ports authority said.

Deterrent measures were taken to prevent an interruption to the "organisation's missions", the statement said.

It is unclear what the target of the second hack was. 

Abolghasem Sadeghi, an official with the government's Information and Technology Organisation, told state TV on Thursday the "important and large scale" attacks were under investigations.

Several government institutions shut down their internet access in the wake of the hacks, Sadeghi added.

— The New Arab (@The_NewArab) July 19, 2020" style="color:#fff;" class="twitter-post-link" target="_blank">Twitter Post "As mysterious explosions rock Iran's nuclear facilities, is cyber-warfare #Israel's newest weapon of choice?" https://t.co/Khau4F1iFF — The New Arab (@The_NewArab) July 19, 2020

Iran is currently on high alert for cyber attacks, often blamed on arch-enemies the United States and Israel.

Last year, Washington said it had carried out a cyber attack on the Islamic republic following major drone strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure.

The US and Saudi Arabia blamed the attacks on Iran, which denied involvement. Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the strikes.

Iran has been hit by a number of mysterious fires and explosions at nuclear sites and other sensitive infrastructure in recent months. 

Tehran has also been accused of launching cyber attacks against Israel and the US.

Tensions between Iran and the US have been enflamed since Washington's withdrawal from a landmark 2015 nuclear deal two years ago. 

Since then, the Trump administration has pursued a "maximum pressure" policy, unleashing a slew of sanctions against the Islamic republic.

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