An Iranian hacker group is claiming it infiltrated water systems serving several California cities in an apparent act of retaliation against the United States — though cybersecurity experts are casting doubt on whether the hackers can actually do any damage.

The group, known as Handala, alleged Thursday that it breached systems tied to Bakersfield, Visalia and Chico, posting screenshots that appeared to show residents’ water bills. The hackers said the cyberattack was payback after US forces struck two reservoirs in Iran.

“Only two days ago, [Trump] destroyed the water sources of the oppressed people of Sirik with multi-million-dollar rockets, inflicting forced thirst and suffering in 50-degree heat,” Handala said in a statement to Iranian news outlets. “Today, retribution has reached the heart of America.”

Iranian state media reported that the US strikes hit water storage facilities, while a local official said more than 20,000 people lost access to water.

Despite the alarming claims, Handala said it would not shut off water service in California, describing the breach as a warning to President Donald Trump. The group also claimed to possess 5 gigabytes of data allegedly stolen during the intrusion.

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