The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has implemented a ban on communication devices for its members following a wave of deadly attacks targeting Hezbollah in Lebanon.
This move comes after an assault that destroyed thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies utilized by Hezbollah fighters, leading to intensified security measures amid fears of espionage, according to two senior Iranian security officials.
One official revealed that the IRGC has initiated a comprehensive operation to inspect various communication equipment. “Most of the damaged devices were either homemade or imported from China and Russia,” he noted.
Concerns about potential Israeli infiltration have prompted a thorough investigation into IRGC personnel, particularly among mid- and high-ranking officers. Authorities are reportedly examining the bank accounts and travel records of IRGC members and their families, seeking any possible connections to Israeli intelligence.
Despite requests for comments, Iran’s Foreign, Defence, and Interior Ministries did not respond to inquiries regarding these security measures.
Recently, pager devices exploded in a coordinated attack across Hezbollah strongholds, followed by detonations from hundreds of walkie-talkies the next day. This series of attacks resulted in 39 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries. Both Lebanon and Hezbollah claim that Israel was behind the attacks, although Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement.
A security official, while not revealing specific details about the IRGC’s communication methods, mentioned that the organization, which consists of approximately 190,000 personnel, is currently utilizing end-to-end encryption for messaging systems.
There is growing concern within Iran’s leadership, prompting IRGC officials to seek technical assessments from Hezbollah and send damaged devices to Tehran for expert analysis.
Another Iranian official emphasized the critical importance of safeguarding the country’s nuclear and missile facilities, particularly those located underground. He mentioned that security measures at these sites have significantly strengthened since last year due to alleged Israeli sabotage attempts targeting Iran’s missile program.
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