Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has ordered all members to cease using any communication devices following a series of deadly attacks involving Hezbollah in Lebanon. Senior Iranian security officials disclosed to Reuters that thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah detonated last week, resulting in 39 fatalities and over 3,000 injuries.
In response to these events, the IRGC is conducting a large-scale operation to inspect all devices, particularly homemade and imported equipment from China and Russia. Authorities are concerned about possible infiltration by Israeli agents and have initiated a thorough investigation targeting mid- and high-ranking IRGC personnel. This scrutiny includes examining bank accounts and travel histories of members and their families.
The attacks involved the detonation of pager devices in Hezbollah strongholds and exploded walkie-talkies the following day, with Lebanese officials attributing the assaults to Israel. While Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement, it remains a focal point of suspicion.
As a precautionary measure, the IRGC has shifted to using end-to-end encryption for secure communications. Concerns extend to the protection of Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities, particularly those located underground. Security measures at these sites have been intensified following previous sabotage attempts attributed to Israel.
The IRGC, a powerful military and political entity in Iran, has close ties to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Established after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, it oversees Iran’s strategic weapons and extends its influence across the Middle East through the Al Quds Force, providing support to groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and others.
As tensions rise in the region, especially in light of the ongoing Gaza conflict and recent assassinations linked to Iran and Israel, the IRGC’s heightened security protocols reflect the deepening concerns within Iran’s ruling establishment regarding threats to its military capabilities.