Iran’s Guards Bans Pagers after Lebanon Explosions

Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has instructed its members to cease using communication devices after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah in Lebanon exploded in attacks last week, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters.

One official revealed that the IRGC is now conducting a large-scale inspection of all devices, not limited to communication equipment, as concerns grow about possible infiltration by Israeli agents. Many of these devices were either homemade or imported from countries like China and Russia. A thorough investigation of personnel, especially mid and high-ranking IRGC members, is underway, examining their bank accounts and travel histories.

These inspections come after coordinated attacks in Hezbollah’s strongholds, where pager devices detonated on Tuesday, followed by hundreds of walkie-talkies exploding on Wednesday. These incidents resulted in 39 deaths and over 3,000 injuries. Lebanon and Hezbollah have blamed Israel for the attacks, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

The IRGC is now using encrypted messaging systems for communication, according to the officials. Iran’s leadership is particularly concerned about the security of its nuclear and missile facilities, which have seen heightened protective measures since last year, following Israel’s alleged attempts to sabotage Iran’s missile program.

The IRGC, a powerful force in Iran, is closely linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and oversees the country’s strategic military operations, including through its Al Quds Force, which supports groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and others across the Middle East.

Iranian military communication relies heavily on domestically developed, encrypted systems, largely due to Western sanctions. While Iran has previously imported communication equipment from China, Russia, and Japan, the country has largely transitioned to self-developed military-grade systems in recent years.

Iran and Israel have been involved in a shadow war for decades, often accusing each other of sabotage and assassination plots. The conflict has intensified alongside the Gaza war, and both nations have exchanged blame for high-profile assassinations in recent months. Israel views Iran as an existential threat, accusing it of trying to develop nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies. Iran, for its part, does not recognize Israel’s right to exist, with Supreme Leader Khamenei repeatedly calling for Israel’s destruction.