Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has instructed its members to cease using communication devices after thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanon were destroyed in coordinated attacks last week, according to two senior Iranian security officials. The officials noted that a large-scale inspection of devices, including those beyond communication equipment, is underway. These devices were often homemade or imported from China and Russia. Iran fears infiltration by Israeli agents, and an investigation focusing on mid and high-ranking IRGC members has commenced, examining their bank accounts and travel histories.

The attacks occurred across Hezbollah strongholds, with pagers detonating on Tuesday and walkie-talkies exploding on Wednesday. The explosions killed 39 people and injured over 3,000. Lebanon and Hezbollah have blamed Israel, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. The IRGC is now relying on encrypted messaging systems for communication.

Iran is particularly focused on securing its nuclear and missile facilities, especially after alleged Israeli sabotage attempts in 2023. Security measures at these sites have been significantly tightened. The IRGC plays a powerful role in Iran’s political, military, and economic spheres and exerts influence in the Middle East through its Al Quds Force, supporting Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis, and Iraqi militias.

Iran has developed its own military-grade communication systems to reduce dependency on foreign imports due to sanctions. However, in the past, Iran imported devices from countries such as China, Russia, and Japan. Iran and Israel have been engaged in a long-standing conflict, marked by mutual accusations of sabotage and assassinations, particularly since the escalation of violence between Israel and Hezbollah, alongside the ongoing Gaza war. Iran and Hezbollah recently accused Israel of killing Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut. Israel acknowledged Shukr’s death but has not confirmed involvement in Haniyeh's assassination. Iran views Israel as a hostile entity, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei calling for its destruction, while Israel sees Iran as a significant threat, particularly regarding its nuclear ambitions, though Iran denies pursuing nuclear weapons.