As of mid-2025, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has expanded far beyond conventional warfare, evolving into a sophisticated hybrid battle that prominently features cyberattacks, hacktivism, and widespread disinformation. According to recent findings by Radware, both nations are actively using digital tools not just to disrupt infrastructure but to shape public perception and sow instability.

Israel has carried out a number of offensive cyber operations targeting Iranian infrastructure, including financial systems. One of the most notable incidents was the destruction of banking data attributed to a cyber group known as Predatory Sparrow, which is believed to have links to Israeli operations. In retaliation, Iran has escalated its own cyber offensives, launching waves of attacks against Israeli institutions. These include data breaches, ransomware campaigns, denial-of-service assaults, and even malware designed to wipe or corrupt systems. Surveillance systems, such as public security cameras, have also been compromised as part of Iran’s espionage efforts.

Alongside these state-led activities, the digital battlefield has seen a surge in hacktivist involvement. Nearly a hundred such groups, largely sympathetic to Iran’s cause, have been carrying out coordinated cyberattacks with increasing frequency—often up to thirty attacks per day. Their tactics range from website defacements and data leaks to politically charged threats against Israel and its allies, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Jordan.

Meanwhile, disinformation campaigns have emerged as a powerful weapon in this conflict. Iran in particular has launched large-scale psychological operations using fake emergency alerts, AI-generated images, and deepfake videos to spread panic or confusion among civilian populations. These campaigns are amplified through botnets and coordinated social media activity, making it harder for people to distinguish between real news and manipulation. Israel has also engaged in its own forms of information warfare, responding with counter-narratives and media strategies.

What makes this situation especially dangerous is that the digital front now operates in parallel with physical conflict. Cyberattacks are no longer just background activity—they have become an integral part of military strategy. While Iran appears to be holding back its most destructive capabilities, possibly saving them for more critical moments, even its current level of cyber engagement poses significant risks to infrastructure and public confidence. The digital fallout is not limited to these two nations; the interconnected nature of modern systems means that businesses, utilities, and governments across the region—and even globally—may be affected by spillover from this escalating cyber conflict.

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Source: https://industrialcyber.co/threats-attacks/radware-reports-hybrid-warfare-as-cyberattacks-disinformation-escalate-in-2025-israel-iran-conflict/