The website of Bank Sepah, a state-owned financial institution in Iran, is currently offline following a cyberattack claimed by a group known as Predatory Sparrow (Gonjeshke Darande). The hacktivist group announced their action in a social media post early Tuesday, stating they had “destroyed the data of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Bank Sepah.” Reports from Iran-focused media indicate that due to the attack, branches of Bank Sepah are closed, and customers are facing difficulties in accessing their accounts and processing payments.
It has been confirmed by London-based Iran International that Bank Sepah’s infrastructure experienced significant disruptions as a result of the cyberattack. According to Fars News Agency, these service interruptions come amid a wider context of escalating military conflicts in the region, particularly between Israel and Iran.
This incident underscores the increasing significance of cyber warfare within the ongoing conflict between the two nations, with Israel launching a substantial aerial bombing campaign targeting Iranian military systems earlier this week. John Hultquist, chief analyst at Google Threat Intelligence Group, noted that while significant cyber activity is expected in response to these events, it may take time for such operations to manifest.
Predatory Sparrow claimed their motives behind the attack were rooted in the bank’s alleged circumvention of international sanctions and its financial support of the Iranian regime’s military programs. The group, which has a history of targeting Iranian infrastructure, has previously conducted operations against sectors including steel production and public transport systems.
Despite the anonymity surrounding the group’s origins, their actions clearly align with efforts to undermine Iranian authority and support for Israel’s objectives. Hultquist remarked on the group’s capability, stating, “They have carried out serious attacks that reflect real skill and sophistication.” Following the cyberattack, both Bank Sepah and the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran have not provided immediate comments as their websites remain offline.