A wave of cyberattacks has targeted municipal water systems across at least seven states, with U.S. intelligence agencies assessing that Iran was highly likely responsible, The New York Times reported. Officials said the full scope of the intrusions remains unknown and could continue to grow.

The attacks affected systems in Minnesota and Michigan, while officials declined to identify all of the states involved. Michigan confirmed that nine municipal water systems reported issues, while roughly three dozen municipalities in Minnesota were targeted earlier in the week.

Authorities stressed that there was no indication that drinking water had become unsafe. A Michigan spokesperson said all affected systems continued operating safely and that there were no known public-health consequences. Experts said the attacks appeared focused primarily on industrial-control systems, but warned that more advanced intrusions could potentially disrupt water treatment or monitoring equipment.

Federal officials said Iran remains the leading suspect, although the assessment is still preliminary and investigators have not established definitive forensic proof. Cybersecurity specialists said Iranian hackers have increasingly targeted vulnerable American infrastructure, particularly smaller water systems with limited cybersecurity resources.

President Donald Trump publicly rejected claims of Iranian involvement and blamed Minnesota. “I think Minnesota is behind it,” Trump said Friday. “I don’t think there was an Iranian cyberattack.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz dismissed the accusation, warning that the incidents demonstrated what modern warfare can look like.

The attacks have prompted federal and state officials to urge water utilities to strengthen passwords, install software updates and reinforce defenses against further intrusions.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)