Israel Warns Iran Hackers Sent 100,000s of AI-Polished Texts as Cyber Threat Persists After War
Updated
Updated · Nextgov/FCW · May 27
Israel Warns Iran Hackers Sent 100,000s of AI-Polished Texts as Cyber Threat Persists After War
2 articles · Updated · Nextgov/FCW · May 27
Hundreds of thousands of deceptive text messages hit Israelis during the war, Israel’s cyber chief said, warning that Iran-linked hackers have recently become more coordinated and are now using AI to sharpen influence and recruitment campaigns.
Yossi Karadi said Iranian state-aligned groups are increasingly sharing tools and intelligence, while cyber activity rises and falls with the pace of bombing because physical strikes can disrupt operators’ access to equipment.
Karadi said any peace deal is unlikely to halt digital attacks — “there is no ceasefire in cyber” — and noted Iran-linked actors have also hit smaller Israeli organizations and some U.S. targets in recent months.
In Washington, he is seeking controlled access to advanced models such as Anthropic’s Mythos to scan Israeli government networks, arguing defenders need the same AI capabilities attackers are rapidly adopting.
Israel has stayed on 100% alert since the 12-Day War last year, and Karadi said advanced cyber-focused AI models are becoming the main threat in what he expects to be a permanent state of cyber warfare.
With AI cyber weapons proliferating, is a permanent state of digital warfare now inevitable for the world?
When AI can fake forensic proof and battle footage, how can anyone distinguish reality from digital propaganda?
Iranian AI-Powered Cyber Attacks Since 2026: Escalation, Global Impact, and Defense Challenges
Overview
Since early 2026, Iran-linked groups have escalated AI-driven cyber operations, marking a new phase in regional cyber warfare. Iran sees artificial intelligence as a critical technology that can help overcome the impact of international sanctions and support broader military goals, such as drone development and electronic warfare. This strategic use of AI has enabled more sophisticated and far-reaching cyberattacks, especially against major US technology and industrial companies, which Iran targets as retaliation for perceived attacks on its territory. The nature of cyberattacks, allowing for plausible deniability, means that cyber conflict between the U.S. and Iran is likely to continue even if peace agreements are reached.