Iranian Anti-Regime Hackers Sabotage Tehran Banks
Pro-Israeli group “Predatory Sparrow” claims cyberattack destroyed data at IRGC-linked financial institutions
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The Iranian hacker collective “Predatory Sparrow” (Gonjeshke Darande), known for its opposition to the regime and alleged ties to Israeli interests, claimed responsibility Tuesday for a large-scale cyberattack targeting major banks in Tehran affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
In a statement posted on X, the group announced: “We, Predatory Sparrow, have destroyed all data from Sepah Bank in a cyber operation. This bank helped Iran bypass international sanctions and finance terror using the people’s own money. This is the fate of an institution dedicated to the dictator’s terror fantasies.”
According to Iranian media outlet Iran International, branches of Sepah Bank were forced to shut down, and customers reported being locked out of their accounts. “We arrived at the branch and found it closed. We have no access to our account,” one customer said.
With public panic escalating in the wake of Israel’s military strikes, many Iranians are reportedly attempting to liquidate their savings.
Additional reports indicate debit cards issued by Ansar Bank and Kosar Bank—both IRGC-linked—also ceased functioning, with transactions failing across the country.
Predatory Sparrow previously crippled over 70% of Iran’s gas stations in a 2023 cyberattack and is believed to have launched multiple high-impact strikes on Iranian infrastructure.
The cyberattack adds to the mounting digital warfare pressure on the Islamic Republic, as its financial and military institutions face growing vulnerability from within and without.
Analysts warn that Tehran’s banking sector, already under strain from sanctions and cyberattacks, may now be teetering toward systemic failure. The restrictions on cash access come amid mounting fears of economic destabilization triggered by the ongoing conflict.