Iranian Revolutionary Guards Ban All Communication Devices After Deadly Attacks on Hezbollah
Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has ordered all members to cease using any communication devices, including pagers and walkie-talkies, after a series of deadly attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon last week, Reuters reports, citing two senior Iranian security officials.
The attacks, which involved the detonation of thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies across Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon, resulted in the deaths of 39 people and injuries to over 3,000. Lebanon and Hezbollah have accused Israel of being behind the attacks, though Israel has not commented on the allegations.
“For now, we are using end-to-end encryption in messaging systems,” said one official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The officials also confirmed that a thorough investigation has begun targeting mid and high-ranking members of the IRGC, specifically focusing on the potential involvement of Iranian nationals who may be working for Israel.
The IRGC has reportedly reached out to Hezbollah for technical assessments, and samples of exploded devices have been sent to Tehran for examination by Iranian experts.
The official expressed additional concern for the protection of Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, especially those located underground, noting that security measures at these sites have been significantly increased since last year following an alleged attempt by Israel to sabotage Iran’s missile program. Israel has not responded to these allegations.
The IRGC, a powerful political, military, and economic force in Iran, has a close relationship with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to protect the clerical ruling system, it has its own ground force, navy, and air force, overseeing Iran’s strategic weapons.
While Iran’s military uses a range of encrypted communication devices, including walkie-talkies, for secure communication, they have stopped using pagers for over two decades. Tehran has developed its own military-grade radio transmissions through its defense industry to avoid relying on foreign imports, especially due to Western sanctions imposed on Tehran over its nuclear program.
However, in the past, Iran has imported communication devices from countries such as China, Russia, and even Japan, according to the report.
The tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated in recent years, accompanied by mutual accusations of sabotage and assassination plots. The conflict, including between Israel and Hezbollah, intensified in the past year following the October 7, 2023 attacks.
