The hacker group Predatory Sparrow has claimed responsibility for a major cyberattack on Iran’s Bank Sepah, Iranian opposition media outlet Iran International reported on Tuesday.
Bank Sepah is one of the country’s oldest and most prominent financial institutions, with longstanding ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Iranian Army.
The group, which has been linked to Israel, announced on social media that it had “destroyed all data” at the bank, a claim that coincided with widespread disruptions in banking services across Iran. Customers reported being unable to access their accounts, and several Bank Sepah branches were forced to close temporarily as a result of the attack.
Fars News, linked to the IRGC, confirmed the cyberattack and said gas stations could also be affected, but that a quick resolution was expected.
Iran’s central bank insisted banking operations remain normal. Predatory Sparrow said it had targeted Sepah for its military ties and sanctions evasion.