Slate Daily Feed What Next: TBD | The Other Iran-Israel War
Jun 27, 2025
Maggie Miller, a POLITICO cybersecurity reporter, dives into the intricate cyber warfare between Iran and Israel. She highlights recent cyberattacks on Iranian banks amidst an internet blackout, shedding light on the disruptions faced by citizens. The conversation explores Israel's sophisticated cybersecurity strategies and Iran's countermeasures, including the roles of both state-sponsored hackers and independent groups. Miller elaborates on the challenges of defining acts of cyber war and the implications for international relations, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity in our digital age.
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Iran-Israel Cyber Conflict Dynamics
- Iran and Israel, along with the U.S., are major cyber powers engaged in ongoing cyber conflict.
- Cyber attacks often target civilians or infrastructure to cause chaos and send political messages rather than direct financial theft.
Stuxnet Malware Nuclear Attack
- The 2009 Stuxnet malware attack set back Iran's nuclear program significantly.
- It remains a landmark example of covert U.S.-Israel cyber capabilities impacting physical infrastructure.
Cyber Warfare Strategies Compared
- Israel has highly sophisticated cyber operations, while Iran employs broad and fearless cyber tactics.
- Many cyberattacks focus on psychological impact and messaging to create fear or distrust.