Iran’s Revolutionary Guards ban communication devices after massive “Israeli” attack

MENA

Published: 2024-09-23 14:12

Last Updated: 2024-09-23 15:42


Late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi visiting the navy base of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). (February 2024) (AFP)
Late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi visiting the navy base of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). (February 2024) (AFP)

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has ordered its members to halt all use of communication devices following a series of devastating attacks last week in Lebanon - two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters.

The “Israeli” attacks caused numerous pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah allies to explode, resulting in 39 deaths and over 3,000 injuries.

In response, the IRGC is launching a comprehensive inspection operation targeting all types of devices, not just communication equipment.


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Many of these devices were either local-made or imported from China and Russia.

Concerns about infiltration by “Israeli” agents—some of whom may be Iranian nationals on Israel's payroll—have intensified scrutiny within the ranks.

Investigations are focusing on mid- and high-ranking IRGC personnel, including an examination of their bank accounts and travel histories.

While the IRGC, which includes around 190,000 members, has not disclosed specifics about their current communication methods, one official mentioned that they are utilizing end-to-end encryption for messaging.


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The Iranian military typically employs a variety of secure communication systems, developed domestically or sourced from both local and foreign suppliers.

Amid this turmoil, IRGC officials have sought technical assessments from Hezbollah and sent several examples of the exploded devices to Tehran for further analysis by military experts.

The Iranian armed forces have not relied on pagers for over two decades, opting instead for encrypted communication technologies. This shift is part of a broader strategy to minimize dependence on foreign imports, especially due to ongoing Western sanctions related to Iran's nuclear ambitions.