# Iran-linked hackers target US water and energy systems US government issues cyberattack warning to critical infrastructure providers. - **Source:** [cybersecurity | TechCrunch](https://brifing.si/source/73fbb25c-5e90-44c9-9a24-7906dc3436cd) - **Published:** 2026-07-23 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/bc2f82d9-72e2-46f3-bfe9-f2e44d9e41ea ## Critical infrastructure under threat US officials revealed that Iran-backed hacker groups are targeting industrial control systems at water and energy facilities. Attackers breach internet-connected operational networks to make unauthorized changes. ## Breaching operational networks According to FBI and NSA data, hackers are targeting programmable logic controllers in products from companies like Schneider Electric and Siemens. These attacks can cause systems to enter unsafe conditions. ## Political tensions in the background Experts state the attacks are linked to ongoing political tensions between Iran, the US and Israel. Hackers are believed to aim at creating operational disruptions in the country. ## Previous attack examples Iran-linked hacker groups earlier this year attacked US medical tech giant Stryker, remotely wiping tens of thousands of employee devices. Group Handala also claimed responsibility for a data breach at a California water company. ## Government's urgent warning US energy department and cybersecurity agencies warned that all internet-exposed industrial control systems might be at risk. Critical infrastructure owners were urged to enhance security measures. ## New front in cyber warfare This incident shows how state-sponsored cyberattacks target critical infrastructure. Threats against energy and water systems carry significant national security implications. ## Sources covering this story - https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/23/us-government-says-iran-linked-hackers-are-disrupting-american-water-and-energy-providers/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._