Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
An expert says Iran could Hit America with a “high impact” cyber attack while his confrontation with Israel increases every day.
Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs The spokesman Esmail Baghaei threatened the United States in an interview with Al Jazeera English on Wednesday, saying that the American intervention alongside Israel would mean a “total war”.
“Any American intervention would be a recipe for a total war in the region,” he said.
Theresa Payton, the former director of chief information of the White House and CEO of the Cybersecurity Company Fortalice Solutions, told Fox News Digital that Iran could use cyberattacs as it becomes more and more desperate.
The United States and Iran have carried out four cycles of indirect negotiations concerning the Tehran nuclear program, but an agreement has not been concluded.
“I think everything is on the table at the moment when it comes to Iran, especially if they lack weapons and missiles. They could use cyber-incidents and cyberattacks,” said Payton. “So we were able to see Iran hitting everything, everyday citizens to elected officials, the media, as well as critical infrastructure.”
Payton said that Iran would seek to target something that is “very impact, very visible and very annoying”. For example, Payton said that energy, public services and water supplies could be areas that Iran would like to target in order to cause major disruptions.
Iran has a history of cyber attacks targeting America.
Seven people related to the Islamic revolutionary guard body were charged by the Ministry of Justice in 2016 for their involvement in a denial of service against companies such as Bank of America, Jpmorgan Chase and Wells Fargo, according to the Foreign Relations Council.
Federal prosecutors said Department’s attacks took place against 46 countries, which were mainly in the financial sector.
Israel-Iran conflict: live updates
The Iron Dome Air Defense System intercepts the missiles during an Iranian attack on Tel Aviv, Israel, early Wednesday, June 18, 2025. (Photo / leo Correa)
The attacks would have taken place more than 176 days and prevented customers from connecting to their online accounts, costing the tens of millions of dollars when they responded to the coordinated cyber attacks.
In 2022, three Iranian nationals were charged after trying to lead a cyber attack against the Boston children’s hospital. Director of the FBI era Christopher WRAY Detailed how serious the threat was at a conference organized by the Boston College.
Iran could target the Americans every day, said a former White House official. (Alex Potemkin / Getty Images)
“We have obtained a report by one of our intelligence partners indicating that Boston Children was about to be targeted, and understanding the emergency of the situation, the cyber-team of our Boston field office took place to inform the hospital,” said Wray. “Quick actions from all those involved, especially in the hospital, have protected the network and the sick children who depend on it.”
Payton said Iran had a “assessment” with regard to cyber attacks, so the threat should be taken seriously.
Click here to obtain the Fox News app
The smoke rises from the construction of Iranian state television after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo ap)
“They did everything from the political campaigns of spear phisse and obtaining information from political campaigns. They brought government officials. They had in fact reached financial services with distributed service attacks over the years. And they have struck critical infrastructure, not only in the United States, but in other countries too,” she said. “And so they have a history of success and gaps with regard to cyber-incidents. And that is why a cyber-intrusion is a potential scenario and at the table for Iran.”
Reuters contributed to this report.
