Trump Rejects Iran Link to Water Cyberattacks
US President Donald Trump has rejected suggestions that Iran was responsible for cyberattacks targeting Minnesota water systems, instead blaming state authorities for what he described as serious incompetence.
Trump Rejects Possible Iran Cyberattack Link
Trump said during a Cabinet meeting that he did not believe Iran was behind the incidents, although he presented no evidence supporting his conclusion. He criticised Minnesota and Democratic Governor Tim Walz, claiming poor management had left the state vulnerable.
Federal investigators are examining whether Iranian-linked hackers carried out the attacks, but no agency has formally attributed them to Tehran. Officials have stressed that the assessment remains preliminary and could change as additional evidence is collected.
Walz responded that Trump knew who was responsible and noted that similar attacks had affected other states.
Minnesota Water Systems Targeted Remotely
The incidents occurred on July 26 and 27, when hackers accessed internet-connected technology used to monitor and control community water systems. Minnesota authorities described the activity as a coordinated cyberattack affecting dozens of facilities.
Attackers reportedly changed device addresses and passwords, preventing some operators from remotely controlling equipment. Certain facilities switched to manual operations, while boil-water notices were issued in affected communities.
State officials said malicious activity had been confirmed but clarified that not every targeted community experienced disrupted water services.
US Agencies Warn of Wider Cyber Threat
Federal authorities said water and wastewater facilities in at least seven states had reported similar incidents, some resulting in degraded operations.
Cybersecurity officials have warned that programmable logic controllers and other internet-connected industrial devices remain vulnerable when default passwords or inadequate security controls are used.
Walz blamed earlier federal cybersecurity staffing reductions for weakening national preparedness. Investigators are now examining the incidents collectively to determine whether they were conducted by one foreign-linked group or multiple attackers.
