US launches cyber-attack against Iran's missile systems

WASHINGTON, June 22 (MENA) - US President Donald Trump approved an offensive cyber strike that disabled Iranian computer systems used to control rocket and missile launches, The Washington Post quoted people familiar with the matter as saying Saturday.

The cyber strikes, launched Thursday night by personnel with US Cyber Command, were in the works for weeks if not months, according to two of these people, who said the Pentagon proposed launching them after Iran's alleged attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman earlier this month.

The strike against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was coordinated with US Central Command, the military organization with purview of activity throughout the Middle East, these people said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because the operation remains extremely sensitive.

The White House declined to comment, as did officials at US Cyber Command. Pentagon spokeswoman Elissa Smith said, "As a matter of policy and for operational security, we do not discuss cyberspace operations, intelligence or planning."