Iranian commander calls for strategy against cyberattacks

Official says cyber defense is a priority.

A senior Iranian military commander said Monday that Iran needs a new strategy to protect its infrastructure from computer attacks, state-affiliated Fars News Agency reports.

"Cyber threats against Iran's national security infrastructure have found a special place and share in enemies' hostile strategy,” said Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for Basij and Defense Culture Brigadier General Massoud Jazzayeri. “Given the country's current conditions it is necessary to consider [developing] an indigenous cyber defense model as our important priority."

Fars reported that the head of Iran's Civil Defense Organization, Brig. Gen. Gholam Reza Jalali, called on Sunday for Iran to confront threats with indigenously-made unconventional, asymmetric tools.

The Stuxnet worm, reported as an American and Israeli effort dating back to 2006, was designed to set back Iranian nuclear enrichment.