U.S. officials warn Iran may widen military and cyber campaign

Iran may be considering a significant escalation in its war with the United States, according to recent U.S. intelligence cited by The New York Times. Officials fear attacks could target more ships in the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. infrastructure in the region and essential domestic systems through cyberattacks.

U.S. officials believe Iran-linked hackers targeted more than 100 American water systems in July. The incidents caused disruptions requiring manual overrides and precautionary boil-water advisories, but no system was degraded enough to make water unsafe to drink. Officials also consider oil and gas infrastructure a potential target, although it is more protected and no energy breach has been confirmed.

Iranian leaders may seek to prolong the conflict through the U.S. midterm elections, the report said, while Iranian media and social-media accounts have focused on President Donald Trump and the elections. The Trump administration has emphasized economic sanctions, which one intelligence official expects Iran to withstand.

Read the full story at jpost.com.