U.S. is source of cyber terrorism: Iranian defense minister

TEHRAN,Oct.30(MNA) – Iranian Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi said that the United States is the source of cyber terrorism. “The United States is the source of cyber terrorism and intends to pave the way for increasing its activities in relation to cyber terrorism through diverting attention and leveling accusation,” Vahidi said on Monday in response to U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta who has hinted that Iran was behind recent cyber attacks against oil and gas companies in the Persian Gulf. On October 11, Panetta in a speech to the Business Executives for National Security in New York City said, “Potential aggressors should be aware that the United States has the capacity to locate them and hold them accountable for their actions that may try to harm America.” He later noted that Iran has “undertaken a concerted effort to use cyberspace to its advantage.” The Iranian defense minister also said that the Zionist regime is another “blatant example of cyber terrorism.” “This regime, in cooperation with the United States, is trying to pressure independent countries and the countries that are opposed to hegemonistic policies through planning and launching cyber attacks,” he said. He went on to say that the U.S. and the Zionist regime have so far launched a number of cyber attacks against the Islamic Republic of Iran. He added, “As they have failed in carrying out other vicious and anti-humane plans against the Iranian nation, they will not be able to compete with the brilliance and cleverness of brave children of the Iranian nation in the area of cyber (technology).”