Exclusive: Iran’s Guards Ban Communication Devices Following Strike on Hezbollah, According to Security Officials

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Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has instructed all members to refrain from using any form of communication devices following a series of deadly explosions involving pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah in Lebanon last week, according to two senior Iranian security officials.

One official indicated that the IRGC has launched a comprehensive operation to inspect all types of devices, not limited to communication tools. He mentioned that many of these devices were either homemade or procured from countries such as China and Russia.

The Iranian government is particularly concerned about potential infiltration by Israeli agents, including some Iranians allegedly working for Israel. A thorough investigation has begun, targeting mid to high-ranking personnel within the IRGC. This scrutiny extends to examining bank accounts both domestically and internationally, along with analyzing the travel records of IRGC members and their families.

Responses from Iran’s Foreign, Defence, and Interior Ministries were not immediately available regarding these remarks from the security officials.

The attacks occurred in two phases—on Tuesday, pager devices detonated across Hezbollah strongholds, followed by the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies the next day. These incidents resulted in 39 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries. Hezbollah and Lebanese authorities have attributed the attacks to Israel, although Israel has not confirmed or denied its involvement.

Due to the security situation, the IRGC, which consists of approximately 190,000 personnel, is now utilizing end-to-end encryption for messaging systems. Iranian officials have expressed deep concern about security within the ruling establishment. The IRGC has reached out to Hezbollah for technical evaluations, sending several damaged devices to Tehran for expert examination.

Regarding broader security issues, Iran’s primary focus remains safeguarding its nuclear and missile facilities, especially those located underground. An Iranian official stated that security measures at these sites have seen substantial increases since last year, following what Iranian authorities described as Israeli attempts to disrupt Iran’s missile program, an assertion that Israel has not publicly commented on.

The IRGC serves as a significant political, military, and economic entity in Iran, closely aligned with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution to defend the clerical regime, the IRGC oversees its own military divisions, including ground, naval, and air forces that manage Iran’s strategic weapons.

Furthermore, the IRGC extends its influence across the Middle East through its overseas operations, primarily through the Al Quds Force, which provides financial, military, and technological support to allied groups, including Hezbollah, Hamas, and factions in Iraq.

The Iranian military reportedly employs a variety of encrypted communication tools, preferring domestically developed or locally sourced devices to minimize dependence on foreign imports amid ongoing Western sanctions. Although Iranian forces have not utilized pagers for over two decades, there have been instances of importing communication technology from various countries.

The longstanding Israeli-Iranian conflict, marked by accusations of sabotage and assassination attempts, has escalated recently, paralleling the intensifying confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah that followed the outbreak of conflict involving Hamas.

Iran and Hezbollah have alleged Israeli involvement in the assassinations of key figures, including a prominent Hamas leader and a top military commander of Hezbollah, though Israel has not confirmed its role in these deaths.

In the broader geopolitical context, Iran does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, with Khamenei labeling it a "cancerous tumor." In contrast, Israel perceives Iran as an existential threat and accuses it of covertly pursuing nuclear weapons, claims that Iran vehemently denies.