President Donald Trump has dismissed claims that Iran was responsible for a recent cyberattack affecting multiple water systems in Minnesota. During a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, Trump stated, "I don't think so. I think I blame it on Minnesota because they're grossly incompetent," referring to the state's governor, Tim Walz. This assertion contrasts with preliminary assessments from U.S. and state officials suggesting Iranian involvement, particularly as federal agencies had warned of Iranian-affiliated hackers targeting similar systems shortly before the attack.
Minnesota IT Services reported that the coordinated cyberattack targeted operational technology at over 30 community water systems, disrupting automated operations in several areas. Despite the attack, officials noted there was no known threat to drinking water. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and Minnesota IT Services has not yet identified a specific actor responsible for the attack.
Governor Walz responded to Trump's comments by asserting that Trump is aware of the true perpetrators and emphasized the seriousness of modern cyber warfare. He criticized Trump's focus on state leadership rather than addressing the broader implications of such attacks. The cyberattack has raised concerns about the security of U.S. water infrastructure, with previous incidents linked to Iranian hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in internet-connected systems.