Hacking group Predatory Sparrow Iran accuses of having links to Israel — claimed it carried out cyberattacks that disrupted services at petrol stations across Iran, Iranian state TV and Israeli local media reported, according to Reuters.

Oil Minister Javad Owji earlier told Iranian state TV that services had been disrupted at about 70 per cent of Iran’s petrol stations and that outside interference was a possible cause.

Iran’s state TV news said the Predatory Sparrow group claimed it was behind the disruption. Israeli local media outlets also reported the claim.

“This cyberattack was carried out in a controlled manner to avoid potential damage to emergency services,” Predatory Sparrow said in its statement according to Iranian media.

Iran’s civil defence agency, which is responsible for the country’s cybersecurity, said it was still considering all possible causes for the disruptions as it investigated.