InfoSearched
Published -
- June 23, 2019
- 5:52 pm
As Donald Trump told the world on Thursday that he had pulled back from launching airstrikes on Iran, he did, it seems, still authorise retaliation for the shooting down of a US drone.
Reports from America say a cyber-attack disabled computer systems controlling rocket and missile launchers and the US said today it will announce new sanctions, which the President described as “major”.
How might the increasing reliance on technology and interconnectedness of nations intensify the need for robust defensive capabilities against cyber-attacks in the future?
The United States of America has launched a cyber-attack on Iran, amid escalating tensions between the two nations. The attack was carried out by the Cyber Command of the US Military, and was reportedly aimed at disrupting Iran’s military command and control systems.
The US officials have stated that the cyber-attack was a response to Iran’s recent attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf and the downing of an American surveillance drone. The US has been blaming Iran for the attacks on the vessels, while Iran has denied any involvement.
The rising tensions between the two countries have been a cause of concern for the international community, with fears of a potential military conflict between the two nuclear-armed nations. The US President, Donald Trump, had earlier announced that he had called off a military strike on Iran after it shot down the drone, citing concerns about the potential loss of civilian lives.
However, the US has been stepping up its economic pressure on Iran, with sanctions aimed at crippling its economy, and has been asking its allies to join the effort. Iran, in turn, has threatened to retaliate by attacking US interests in the region.
The cyber-attack is seen as a part of this ongoing confrontation between the two nations, and is likely to escalate tensions further. Iran has been investing heavily in its cyber capabilities in recent years, and has been blamed for several cyber-attacks on US institutions in the past.
The US has been using cyber-attacks as a tool of foreign policy for many years now, and has been accused of carrying out several such operations against other countries. The attack on Iran is seen as a reminder of the US’s capabilities in this domain, and as a signal to other countries that it is willing to use all means at its disposal to protect its interests.
The use of cyber-attacks in modern warfare is an increasingly common phenomenon, and is likely to play a key role in future conflicts. As the world becomes more connected, and as nations become more reliant on technology, the use of cyber-attacks is likely to become more frequent and more effective.
The attack on Iran by the US is a reminder of the potential dangers of cyber-conflict, and of the importance of developing robust defensive capabilities. The international community must work together to develop norms and rules to regulate the use of cyber-attacks in the context of international law, and to prevent such attacks from undermining global peace and security.
