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In a major security shift, Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has ordered its members to stop using all communication devices. This move comes after deadly attacks last week targeted Hezbollah’s communication tools in Lebanon. Thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies, used by Hezbollah, exploded, killing 39 people and injuring over 3,000. The IRGC suspects Israeli involvement in these attacks.
A Large-Scale Operation Underway
According to two senior Iranian security officials, the IRGC is conducting a thorough inspection of all equipment used by its forces. This goes beyond communication devices, including all military hardware. Most of the equipment used by the IRGC, according to one official, is either homemade or imported from China and Russia. Iran fears Israeli infiltration, possibly through Iranians working as spies for Israel.
The IRGC has already begun an internal investigation into its own ranks. The focus is on mid and high-ranking officers, with checks on their bank accounts and travel histories, both inside and outside Iran. This investigation extends to their families as well, making it clear that the IRGC is taking the matter seriously.
Attack Details and Hezbollah’s Reaction
The deadly attack on Hezbollah started on a Tuesday, with pagers exploding across Hezbollah’s strongholds in Lebanon. The following day, hundreds of walkie-talkies detonated, causing even more casualties. Hezbollah, supported by Iran, has blamed Israel for the attack. However, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.
The security official did not reveal how the IRGC is now communicating after the attacks but mentioned that they have switched to end-to-end encrypted messaging systems for secure communication.
IRGC’s Connection with Hezbollah
The IRGC has long maintained a close relationship with Hezbollah, providing the Lebanese group with funds, weapons, and technical expertise. Following the recent attacks, IRGC officials reached out to Hezbollah for a technical assessment. Exploded devices were sent to Tehran, where Iranian experts are examining them to understand how the attacks were carried out.
Increased Security for Iran’s Nuclear and Missile Sites
Iran is worried about protecting its nuclear and missile sites. One Iranian official said security has been made much stricter. This happened after Israel was accused of trying to damage Iran’s missile program in 2023. Security is now tighter than ever, especially after the recent attacks in Lebanon.
The IRGC’s main job is to protect Iran’s government. It was created after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The IRGC runs its own army, navy, and air force. It also plays a big role in Iran’s politics and economy, separate from the regular military.
Iran’s Military Communication Devices
Iran relies on a range of encrypted communication devices for secure military communication. Over the years, Tehran has developed its own military-grade radio transmissions, especially since Western sanctions have made it harder to rely on imports. However, Iran has also sourced communication equipment from countries like China, Russia, and Japan in the past. Pagers, the device targeted in Lebanon, are no longer used by Iran’s military forces, according to the Iranian security official.
Ongoing Shadow War Between Iran and Israel
The attacks on Hezbollah are part of a larger conflict between Iran and Israel, who have been engaged in a shadow war for decades. Both countries accuse each other of sabotage and assassination plots. Tensions have only increased in the past year, especially after the war in Gaza, which erupted following an attack by the Palestinian Hamas group on southern Israel in October 2023.
Iran and Hezbollah have also blamed Israel for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah’s senior military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut earlier this year. While Israel has confirmed Shukr’s death, it has not acknowledged involvement in Haniyeh’s assassination.
The IRGC’s decision to stop using communication devices reflects Iran’s concern over potential infiltration by Israeli agents. With investigations ongoing and security measures heightened, both inside Iran and within its allies, the situation remains tense as the shadow war between Iran and Israel continues.