देश-विदेश

LONDON: Hackers linked to the Iranian regime reportedly forced a small British power-generating facility to shut down for four days last month in what could be the first known successful cyberattack of its kind against a UK energy site. The incident, reported by The Telegraph, has raised fresh concerns about the ability of state-linked cyber groups to move beyond digital intrusion and cause disruption to physical infrastructure. However, British officials stressed that the affected facility was small and that the wider electricity system was never at risk. The identity and location of the facility have not been disclosed for security reasons. According to reports, staff spent several days working to restore the plant and return its systems to normal operation. The attack did not cause any significant impact on Britain’s overall electricity generation or supply. A government source described the facility as extremely small compared with the capacity of the national grid and said it did not fall within the category of major generators required to report certain cyber incidents. Despite the limited disruption, the incident has attracted attention because of what it demonstrates about the evolving cyber threat. If confirmed, it would represent a significant step for hackers associated with Iran, showing that they were able to penetrate an energy facility and temporarily interrupt its operations. The precise method used to gain access to the plant has not been publicly disclosed. Nor has the British government formally attributed the attack to a specific Iranian hacking group. The National Cyber Security Centre, which works with organisations to protect critical infrastructure, declined to comment on the individual incident. British authorities have nevertheless taken the incident seriously. Government officials reportedly briefed senior executives at power companies and provided advice on how operators should respond to the growing threat of cyberattacks. The incident comes amid heightened concern in Western countries over cyber operations linked to Iran, Russia, China and North Korea. British cybersecurity officials have repeatedly warned organisations to strengthen their defences as geopolitical tensions increase. The attack also reportedly occurred around the same period as cyber incidents targeting water infrastructure in several US states, although the relationship between the incidents has not been established publicly. For Britain’s energy sector, the episode serves as a warning even though the national grid remained unaffected. Smaller generators and industrial facilities can still provide potential entry points for attackers seeking to test their capabilities. The immediate disruption may have been limited, but the incident has intensified scrutiny of Britain’s energy cybersecurity. Authorities now face the challenge of ensuring that a temporary shutdown at a small facility does not become a blueprint for attacks against larger and more strategically important infrastructure.

WASHINGTON: The United States may find it difficult to economically isolate Iran completely unless China cooperates with Washington, according to a New York Times analysis, which highlights Beijing’s growing role in Iran’s oil exports and trade. China is Iran’s largest trading partner and a major buyer of its crude oil, giving Beijing considerable influence over the effectiveness of any US campaign aimed at cutting Tehran’s access to international revenue. According to figures cited in the analysis, China and Iran conducted around $41.2 billion in trade in 2025, while Chinese buyers imported approximately $31.2bn worth of Iranian crude during the same year. At times, Chinese customers have accounted for as much as 90 per cent of Iran’s total oil exports. That dependence creates a significant challenge for Washington. The United States can impose sanctions on Iranian banks, companies, oil traders and vessels, but cutting off those channels may not be enough if Chinese businesses continue buying Iranian crude. A particularly important role is played by China’s small independent refineries, commonly known as “teapots”. These private operators have relatively limited exposure to the global financial system, potentially making them less vulnerable to traditional US sanctions. The arrangement has allowed Iran to maintain an important source of revenue despite years of American restrictions. Continued Chinese purchases could therefore provide Tehran with the financial breathing room needed to withstand additional economic pressure. But Beijing has its own economic leverage over Washington. The New York Times analysis noted that China could potentially restrict exports of critical minerals needed by American technology and defence industries. Beijing has previously used restrictions on strategic minerals during periods of trade tension with the United States, demonstrating the potential economic cost of confrontation. That creates a difficult calculation for Washington. Increasing pressure on Iran could put the United States in a position where it also has to confront China, potentially widening an already complicated economic rivalry. The geopolitical equation is further complicated by developments in the Middle East. The analysis pointed to US military activity in the region and the movement of some American military assets from the Pacific. Chinese observers have interpreted such moves as potentially creating vulnerabilities in America’s strategic position in Asia. For Washington, the central question is therefore not simply how many sanctions can be imposed on Tehran. It is whether those measures can succeed while Iran retains access to one of its most important economic partners. If China continues purchasing Iranian oil and maintaining commercial ties with Tehran, Iran is unlikely to become completely isolated economically. The analysis suggests that Beijing’s decisions could ultimately determine how far the US pressure campaign can go — and whether Washington can tighten the economic screws on Tehran without opening another front in its increasingly complex relationship with China.

TEHRAN: Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has said his country is facing a difficult economic and military situation but has remained resilient, arguing that national unity prevented what he described as an attempt by Iran’s enemies to push the country towards a Venezuela-like crisis. Speaking at a ceremony, Pezeshkian said Iran was operating under what he called illegal wartime conditions while continuing efforts to provide services and support to its people. The president portrayed the country as facing simultaneous economic and security challenges, but said the Iranian public had remained united despite the pressure. According to Pezeshkian, Iran’s opponents wanted to see the country weakened and destabilised. He argued that the unity of the Iranian people had instead helped Iran emerge as a stronger force. “Today, we are in a state of economic and military war,” Pezeshkian said, while stressing that the government was continuing to work for citizens despite the difficult circumstances. His comments came as Tehran has faced intense pressure over its economic situation and wider confrontation with the United States and its allies. Pezeshkian said Iran’s adversaries had intended to turn the country into “Venezuela”, apparently referring to the severe economic and political difficulties that have affected Venezuela over the past decade. He claimed that the plan had failed because Iranians had maintained a united position in the face of the challenges. The president also referred to a memorandum of understanding reached amid the difficult circumstances. He said the agreement had been shaped by the country’s determination to protect its interests while seeking a way forward through diplomacy. According to Pezeshkian, experts had described the memorandum as being based on “prudence, dignity and wisdom”. He argued that those criticising the agreement did not fully understand the circumstances surrounding it. The remarks suggest that Iran’s leadership is attempting to present the agreement as a strategic decision rather than a concession under pressure. Pezeshkian’s comments also come against the backdrop of signals that Tehran may be seeking a way to end its confrontation with Washington from a position it considers strong. Iranian officials have repeatedly stressed that any diplomatic arrangement must protect the country’s national interests and sovereignty. For Pezeshkian, domestic unity remains central to navigating the crisis. He argued that despite economic hardship and military pressure, the country had avoided the collapse that its opponents allegedly expected. The president’s message was therefore aimed not only at Iran’s external rivals but also at domestic critics of the memorandum. As pressure on Iran continues, Tehran faces the difficult task of managing economic challenges while maintaining political cohesion and determining whether diplomacy can reduce tensions. Pezeshkian’s latest remarks underline his argument that Iran’s resilience, rather than isolation, will shape the next phase of the country’s confrontation with its adversaries.