Multiple channels of Iran's state television broadcast images on Thursday showing the leaders of an exiled dissident group and a graphic calling for the death of the country's supreme leader, an incident that authorities described as a hack.
For several seconds, graphics flashed on screen, interrupting the broadcast to depict the leaders of the opposition Mujahideen Khalq Organization (MKO), Maryam and Masoud Rajavi. A man's voice could be heard chanting "Salute to Rajavi, death to (Iranian Supreme Leader Ali) Khamenei!", according to videos posted on social media.
Deputy IRIB (state braodcaster) chief Ali Dadi said the case was under investigation.
"Our colleagues are investigating the incident. This is an extremely complex attack and only the owners of this technology could exploit and damage the backdoors and features that are installed on the systems," Dadi told state TV channel IRINN.
The incident apparently marked the latest in a series of embarrassing cyberattacks against Iran.
In October, an assault on Iran’s fuel distribution system paralyzed gas stations nationwide, leading to long lines of angry motorists unable to get subsidized fuel for days. A cyberattack on Iran's railway system caused chaos and train delays. Another hack leaked footage of abuses at its notorious Evin prison.
