Following recent U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, cyberattacks linked to Tehran and pro-Palestinian hacking groups have surged, targeting key sectors in both the United States and Israel.
While these attacks have not yet caused major disruptions, cybersecurity experts warn the digital threat is growing and could escalate rapidly if tensions in the Middle East worsen.
Pro-Palestinian Hackers Launch Digital Retaliation
Over the weekend, hacker groups sympathetic to Iran claimed responsibility for a wave of denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks aimed at U.S. aviation firms, banks, and oil companies.
These attacks, which overload websites or networks to knock them offline, were announced through posts on Telegram.
One group, known as Mysterious Team, posted:
“We increase attacks from today.”
The SITE Intelligence Group confirmed that at least a dozen U.S.-based organizations were targeted in these coordinated efforts.
Israel is facing similar cyber threats. A group called Handala Hack has reportedly breached Israeli systems, including sensitive government and private sector networks.
The group, known for its pro-Palestinian stance, claims these hacks are in direct response to Israel’s military operations and regional involvement.
U.S. Agencies Issue Warnings
In response to the growing threat, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a public alert over the weekend, warning of increased cyber activity tied to Iranian state-sponsored actors and their allies.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) also released a statement urging critical infrastructure operators, including those managing energy grids, water systems, and pipelines, to strengthen their cyber defenses and monitor for suspicious activity.
Cybersecurity experts say these attacks are part of a broader shift toward digital retaliation, which offers state and non-state actors a cost-effective alternative to traditional warfare.
“We just showed the world: You don’t want to mess with us kinetically,” said Arnie Bellini, CEO of Bellini Capital.
“But we are wide open digitally. We are like Swiss cheese.”
Bellini noted that cyber operations are significantly cheaper than missiles or fighter jets and far harder to trace back to their source, making them an attractive weapon for adversaries like Iran, North Korea, China, and Russia.
With recent events drawing more global attention to cyber vulnerabilities, experts warn that Iran and its allies may double down on digital warfare as a core part of their military strategy.
To add, the cyberattacks underscore how physical conflict now has a digital front. As the U.S. and Israel respond to threats on the ground, they also face increasing pressure to defend critical systems in cyberspace.
