US launched cyberstrike on Iran after attack on Saudi oil facilities, officials say

The US, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany have publicly blamed the September 14 attack on Iran, which denied involvement in the strike

Publicly, the Pentagon has responded by sending thousands of additional troops and equipment to bolster Saudi defences

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Smoke billows after a fire at Aramco facility in the eastern city of Abqaiq, Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters

Published: 1:18pm, 16 Oct 2019Updated: 8:11pm, 16 Oct 2019

The United States carried out a secret cyber operation against Iran in the wake of the September 14 attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, which Washington and Riyadh blame on Tehran, two US officials have told Reuters.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the operation took place in late September and took aim at Tehran’s ability to spread “propaganda”.

One of the officials said the strike affected physical hardware, but did not provide further details.

It highlights how US President Donald Trump’s administration has been trying to counter what it sees as Iranian aggression without spiralling into a broader conflict.

The strike appears more limited than other such operations against Iran this year after the downing of an American drone in June and an alleged attack by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on oil tankers in the Gulf in May.

The US, Saudi Arabia, Britain, France and Germany have publicly blamed the September 14 attack on Iran, which denied involvement in the strike. The Iran-aligned Houthi militant group in Yemen claimed responsibility.

Publicly, the Pentagon has responded by sending thousands of additional troops and equipment to bolster Saudi defences – the latest US deployment to the region this year.

The Pentagon declined to comment about the cyber strike.