After 3,000 Casualties from Beep Explosion... Iranian Revolutionary Guard Orders Suspension of Communication Device Use

"Investigation into Possible Israeli Spy"

Following the simultaneous explosion incident targeting wireless pagers (beepers) used by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has ordered its members to cease the use of all communication devices, according to major foreign media citing sources on the 23rd (local time).

Marching members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps

According to two anonymous Iranian security officials, after the recent simultaneous explosions of pagers and radios used by the pro-Iranian faction Hezbollah in Lebanon, the IRGC has commanded a halt to the use of all types of communication devices and launched a large-scale operation to inspect not only communication equipment but all gear.

Most of these devices are known to be either domestically produced or imported from China and Russia.

These sources indicated that Iran is concerned about the possibility of infiltration by pro-Israel spies and that authorities have already begun thorough investigations targeting senior and mid-level commanders of the Revolutionary Guard.

One official stated that the investigation includes "their bank accounts inside and outside Iran, as well as travel records of themselves and their families."

However, the official did not disclose detailed information on how the Revolutionary Guard communicates, only explaining that "currently, end-to-end encryption methods are being used."

He added that widespread concern is spreading among Iran’s ruling elite.

Additionally, at the request of the Revolutionary Guard, Hezbollah reportedly sent several exploded devices to Tehran for examination by Iranian experts.

In particular, Iran is said to prioritize protecting underground nuclear and missile-related facilities from attacks.

Another Iranian official noted, "Since last year, security measures at these facilities have been significantly strengthened," but also suggested that "security has never been as strict or extreme as it is now," indicating that security has been enhanced beyond previous levels following the recent Lebanon pager explosion incident.

Over two days starting from the 17th, pagers and radios used by Hezbollah exploded simultaneously, resulting in over 3,000 casualties in Lebanon.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah defined this incident as a 'declaration of war' by Israel and vowed retaliation.

Israel neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the pager explosion incident but increased pressure by conducting large-scale airstrikes in southern Lebanon and targeted airstrikes on Beirut, killing key Hezbollah commanders.

Regarding the suspension of communication device use and the investigation, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, and Ministry of Interior did not respond to foreign media requests for comment.