Iran gearing for 'cyber war'?

Tehran establishes new cyber command as Iranian technology minister vows to 'block Israel's unmatched cyber terrorism'

News agencies|Published: 08.12.11 , 12:34

Iran's Information and Communications Technology Minister Reza Taghipour accused Israel on Friday of "unmatched cyber terrorism" against nations the world over.

Israel, he stated, "Ranks first in cyber terror across the globe."

Quoted by Iran's Press TV, Taghipour accused Israel of "backing cyber terrorism" and using "cyber malwares… and many other forms of state terrorism." The Iranian minister said Tehran was not only fighting back, but also implementing "retaliatory measures."

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In a similar report by the Islamic Republic's Mehr news agency, the minister announced the establishment of Iran's Cyber Command, meant to control and block cyber attacks against Iran. The new command, he said, will lead Iran's counter measures in the field.

Taghipour was likely reacting to Israel's own announcement about the establishment of a new IDF Cyber Command, as well as to uncorroborated reports claiming that the Israeli military was exploring cyber-actions against Iran.

Iran maintains that Israel is behind the Stuxnet attack which all but paralyzed 30,000 computers in the country in 2010 and is said to have damaged the country's nuclear program – a claim which Tehran repeatedly denied.