Topline
President Donald Trump rejected preliminary findings from U.S. intelligence agencies that Iran was likely responsible for cyberattacks against Minnesota’s water systems, telling cabinet officials Friday the state was to blame for the compromised systems.
Key Facts
Trump referenced a preliminary report suggesting Iran is behind the cyberattacks, adding, “I don’t think so, I think I blame it on Minnesota because they’re grossly incompetent.”
Trump jabbed at Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., calling him “corrupt” and saying, “Iran’s got bigger problems than worrying about Minnesota.”
Walz responded in a statement and said Trump “knows exactly who is responsible for this attack, and knows that other states were hit too.”
The governor said the cyberattack in Minnesota “further illustrates there’s no plan to win a war with Iran.”
Federal investigators believe Iranian hackers may have been behind the attacks, according to The New York Times, which noted officials have emphasized they have not definitely determined the perpetrators of the attacks.
Three state officials told the Times there were hallmarks of Iranian or Iran-backed hackers, noting the absence of a ransom demand and the hacking methods used.
Big Number
Seven. That is how many states were impacted by the cyberattacks. Minnesota and Wisconsin have been named, though officials have not disclosed the remaining five states targeted.
Key Background
About 36 community water systems in Minnesota were targeted in the cyberattacks, with federal and Wisconsin officials saying hackers dropped water pressures in some Minnesota areas and forced some systems to switch to manual operations. However, Minnesota disputed the impacts, according to NBC News, with the state’s information technology department saying Minnesota did not report lowered pressure or that pressure changes led to response from law enforcement. Minnesota officials have maintained no municipal water supplies were contaminated and that drinking water is safe to consume. The attacks come amid high tensions between the U.S. and Iran, both of which failed to uphold a temporary peace agreement signed last month. The two sides have jockeyed for control of the Strait of Hormuz, which accounts for roughly 25% of the world’s maritime oil trade.
Further Reading
U.S. Sees Iran as Likely Behind Cyberattack on Minnesota Water Systems (New York Times)