Iran Launches 4,800 Monthly Cyberattacks Against Israel Amid Rising Tensions
Yossi Kardi, head of Israel's National Cyber Directorate, revealed in an interview with the German newspaper Die Welt that Iran has dramatically increased its cyberattacks against Israel since the start of the combined US-Israeli offensive against Tehran earlier this year. In June 2025, Israeli authorities recorded approximately 1,600 hostile cyber incidents, but by June 2026, this number had tripled to around 4,800 attacks per month.
Kardi described the attackers as highly skilled groups targeting Israel's critical infrastructure, central organizations, private companies, and the general public. Smaller targets such as law firms and accounting companies have also been affected. Despite the surge, Israel's national defense systems have so far successfully repelled attempts to damage the core infrastructure, though some less protected companies suffered complete data destruction.
The Iranian regime officially denies involvement in cyber campaigns against other countries, even as it reports frequent cyberattacks against its own government and infrastructure. Recently, a Telegram channel linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guard intelligence disclosed the death of Yahya Hosseini Panjaki, commander of the "Handala" cyber unit, in a targeted killing believed to be carried out by Israel during recent clashes on Iranian soil. This marks the first public Iranian acknowledgment of Panjaki's senior role and death.
Israel continues to prepare for cyber warfare alongside kinetic operations, emphasizing the persistent and escalating nature of cyber threats from Iran. Kardi stressed the importance of taking these attacks seriously, noting there is no ceasefire in cyberspace.
Summary: Israel's National Cyber Directorate reports a threefold increase in Iranian cyberattacks, reaching 4,800 monthly incidents targeting critical infrastructure and private sectors, amid ongoing US-Israeli military pressure on Iran. Israel has successfully defended its core systems, while Iran denies involvement. The recent killing of an Iranian cyber commander highlights the intensifying covert conflict.
