U.S.investigators believe a cyberattack that targeted dozens of water systems in Minnesota this week likely was orchestrated by Iranian hackers, a report said.Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) said the "coordinated cyberattack targeted operational technology at more than 30 Minnesota community water systems" on Sunday and Monday, but the Minnesota Department of Health is "not aware of any active requests from Minnesota cities to have their residents modify their drinking water usage."U.S.
and state officials and others familiar with the incident told The New York Times that Iranian hackers were likely behind the cyberattack.The newspaper reported that three state officials briefed on an investigation into the cyberattack said the tradecraft used and the absence of a ransom demand led analysts to initially determine Iran was involved.Officials also cautioned that the assessment could change as more data is collected by investigators, according to the newspaper."The FBI is aware of recent public reporting around Water and Wastewater sectors.
The FBI and our interagency partners are fully engaged to protect critical infrastructure and we remain well-equipped to protect against cyber threats of all varieties," the FBI said in a statement to Fox News Digital on Friday.IRAN-LINKED HACKERS TARGET US MEDICAL TECH COMPANYA water tower is seen Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Plymouth, Minn.A cyberattack targeted operating technology at more than 30 water systems in Minnesota, including Plymouth's, earlier this week, state officials said.
(Ellen Schmidt/AP)The newspaper reported that the hackers targeted infrastructure used to manage and monitor water towers operated by municipal governments.The mayor of the city of Braham, Nate George, said on Monday, a "plant operator found that the water tower was calling for water, but the well was not operating.""After learning that similar problems were occurring in at least four other Minnesota communities, Braham staff determined that the pl...