Article updated: 10/12/2012 8:21 AM

U.S.: Hackers in Iran responsible for cyberattacks

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U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, speaks at a news conference with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, not pictured, at the Pentagon, in Washington.

Associated Press

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U.S. authorities believe that Iranian-based hackers were responsible for cyberattacks that devastated Persian Gulf oil and gas companies, a former U.S. government official said. Just hours later, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the cyberthreat from Iran has grown, and he declared that the Pentagon is prepared to take action if American is threatened by a computer-based assault.