How Iranian hackers pose a threat to US critical infrastructure

A cyberattack on a US corporation illustrates how state-aligned hackers operate, and how damage in war today isn’t always visible or geographically confined.

By: William Akoto, American University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: April 2, 2026

Words: 1,209

Last Updated: 3 months, 4 weeks ago

Body Text Preview

By William Akoto, American University

Michigan may be more than 6,000 miles away from the war in Iran, but, virtually speaking, it’s well within striking distance.

An Iran-linked group calling itself Handala claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Portage, Michigan-based medical device maker Stryker Corp., carried out on March 11, 2026. Handala said the attack was in retaliation for events related to the conflict in Iran.

The cyberattack affected Stryker’s internal Microsoft software system, …

Create a free account to access this story and more

Join Plucky Wire to access full stories, collaborate with newsrooms, and discover content from networks around the world.

About

FAQ

Email Us