Latest news with #IRGC-affiliated
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First Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Is Israel using digital signatures from electronics to launch Iran strikes?
Iran has banned the use of all network-connected communication devices by government officials and their bodyguards, amid growing concerns that Israel may have used digital signatures from electronics to carry out recent high-profile strikes read more People watch as smoke rises following an Israeli attack on the IRIB building, the country's state broadcaster, in Tehran, Iran, on June 16, 2025. Reuters Iran has banned the use of all network-connected communication devices by government officials and their bodyguards, amid growing concerns that Israel may have used digital signatures from electronics to carry out recent high-profile strikes. The directive, reported by the IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency, prohibits the use of smartphones, laptops, smartwatches, and other connected devices. It warned that simply powering down these electronics may not be enough to prevent geolocation tracking, and urged the use of secure, anti-tracking technologies as a precaution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iranian MP Hamid Rasaei echoed the urgency on social media platform X, urging all officials and aides to surrender their phones to reduce security risks. The announcement of Iran's sweeping ban on network-connected devices for government officials comes on the heels of a major cyberattack targeting Sepah Bank, a state-run institution affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The attack caused widespread ATM outages across the country and is suspected to have been orchestrated by Israeli operatives, heightening Tehran's concerns over digital vulnerabilities within its state infrastructure. The latest directive reflects the deepening, technology-driven shadow war between Iran and Israel. Last year, Israel reportedly used explosive-laden pagers to assassinate senior Hezbollah figures—a tactic that has left Iranian security services particularly alert to covert digital threats. Tensions escalated further on Tuesday when Iranian state television urged citizens to delete WhatsApp from their devices, claiming without evidence that the messaging app was being used by Israeli intelligence to harvest user data. WhatsApp swiftly denied the accusation, issuing a statement that read: 'We do not track your precise location, we don't keep logs of who everyone is messaging, and we do not track the personal messages people are sending one another.' The platform, which uses end-to-end encryption, warned that the allegations could be an attempt to justify a potential block on the service in Iran. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Authorities have yet to clarify how long the newly announced device restrictions will remain in effect or whether similar measures will be extended to the broader public. Acknowledging the internet restrictions being placed on Iran, the country's Cyber Security Command issued a statement carried by Iranian state television saying it was 'implementing numerous measures for different parts of the country.' The statement said it was to stop enemies from 'penetrating cyber layers and preventing them from continuing to exploit infrastructure to carry out cyber and military operations.' 'We ask the dear people of our country to be patient and cooperate in the process of implementing these measures,' it added. Landlines appeared cut off from international calls and only local websites were running in Iran. With inputs from agencies
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
In Iran's ban on internet-connected devices, a reminder of Israel's Lebanon walkie-talkie, pager blasts
In view of the growing tensions with Israel, Iran's cybersecurity command has banned the use of internet-connected devices for government officials and their security teams. This directive comes amid the fear that Israeli agencies will be able to use the mobile networks to plan targeted assassinations. As per the IRGC-affiliated Fars news agency, the command from the security agency extended to all devices connected to public communication or telecommunications networks. This directive from the Iranian agency also seems to be stemming from incidents like Israel's coordinated blasts in Lebanon through walkie-talkie and pagers, that targetted Hezbollah members. Track LIVE updates on Israel-Iran tensions here 'The use of connected devices by officials and their security personnel is now prohibited,' Fars quoted the Cyber Security Command as saying. The news agency further warned that turning off mobile phones at sensitive locations may not prevent location tracking, adding that the command recommends the use of secure, anti-tracking devices. In September 2024, thousands of handheld pagers and walkie-talkie devices exploded across Lebanon. These devices were targeted due to their use by Hezbollah leaders and government officials. The attack was also expanded to parts of Syria. As per the Lebanese government, a total of 42 people were killed, including 12 civilians, and over 4,000 people were left injured due to the blasts. Also Read: Israeli warns Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei could meet fate similar to Saddam Hussein: 'Remember…' The blasts took place over two days. The first explosions were reported on September 17, 2024, and involved pagers. The second explosion on September 18, 2024, involved exploding walkie-talkies. Following the attack, Israel denied its involvement and distanced itself from the blasts in Lebanon. However, later in November 2024, Israeli prime minister Netanyahu admitted Israel's role in the blasts after he was quoted as saying - "The pager operation and the elimination of [Hezbollah leader Hassan] Nasrallah were carried out despite the opposition of senior officials in the defense establishment and those responsible for them in the political echelon," by Hebrew media. Netanyahu's statement come after he fired former defence minister Yoav Gallant 'due to an erosion of trust' between the Israeli official and the PM. However, as per Gallant, he was removed from office due to his disagreement with Netanyahu on Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip. The conflict between Iran and Israel continued for a fifth consecutive day after both countries launched fresh drone and missile attacks one another. On Monday, the Israeli Air Force targeted Iranian state broadcaster IRIB in Tehran, claiming it was being used as a front for the Iranian Armed Forces. In retaliation, Iran launched a series of missiles towards Israel, which were intercepted by the Iron Dome.
Euronews
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Iranian regime muzzles media with grim death penalty warning
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence organisation has issued a grim warning that 'cooperation with the Mossad will result in the maximum legal punishment', effectively issuing a death penalty for communications seen as favouring Israel's attacks on Iran. In a statement shared on social media Telegram earlier today the Revolutionary Guards cited articles 6, 7, 8, and 10 of the 'Law on Combating Hostile Actions of the Zionist Regime'. 'Any form of intelligence cooperation with the Mossad, interaction or exchange of information with official or unofficial individuals affiliated with the Zionist regime, as well as any cultural, media, or propaganda activity, or assistance that supports, promotes, or legitimizes the Zionist regime, is considered a criminal offence,' under these articles, according to the statement, which adds that any perpetrators will face 'the maximum punishment'. Babak Kamiar, the head of Euronews' Persian desk, said that the impact of this will be to force local media into silence. The maximum punishment indicated in the sentence is 'the death penalty for sure', according to Kamiar. 'From this point on, nothing will be published except praise for the regime — which, of course, was to be expected,' Kamiar said. 'This will also include international media outlets that have correspondents in Iran, making our work even more difficult, as most of our information relied on domestic sources,' Kamiar added. Although state-run, semi-official, and IRGC-affiliated media had already maintained tight control over the flow of information, the situation is now expected to worsen, according to Euronews' Kamiar.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Who were the Iranian commanders killed in Israel's attack?
Israel struck dozens of targets, including nuclear facilities, military sites and private residences, across Iran on Friday, killing a number of senior military commanders in what it called "Operation Rising Lion". The Israeli attacks also targeted a number of other influential figures linked to Iran's nuclear programmes, including six nuclear scientists, IRGC-affiliated news agency Tasnim reported. Dozens of civilians, including children, have also been reported killed. Here's what we know so far about the high-profile individuals among the dead. Bagheri was the highest ranking military officer in Iran, being the chief of staff of Iran's armed forces - which includes both the Islamic Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) and the Iranian army. Bagheri joined the IRGC in 1980 aged 20 and, alongside his brother, helped establish the IRGC's intelligence unit during the Iran-Iraq war. He was considered less hardline than other commanders. He had come under criticism recently for a speech he made in April in front of the ancient ruins of Persepolis in which he called for peace and urged for the avoidance of war. Abdolrahim Mousavi has been appointed the new chief of staff of the armed forces, Iranian state news agency Irna said. He does not come from within the ranks of the IRGC, being an army general. Hossein Salami was the commander-in-chief of the IRGC. Salami joined the IRGC in 1980 during the Iran-Iraq war, and went on to become a deputy commander in 2009, before progressing to commander in 2019. Known for his ability as an orator, he took a hard-line stance towards Israel and as recently as last month said Tehran would "open the gates of hell" if attacked by either Israel or the US. Mohammad Pakpour has been appointed as the new commander of the IRGC, Iranian state media report. Gholamali Rashid was the head of the IRGC's Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters, which coordinates joint Iranian military operations. Rashid fought in the 1980s war with Iraq and was formerly the deputy chief of staff of the Iranian Armed Forces. Since Rashid's death, Ali Shadmani has been appointed the emergency command's new leader, according to Iranian state media. The commander of the IRGC's Aerospace Force, Hajizadeh was a prominent figure in charge of the country's missiles programme. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Hajizadeh had gathered in an underground command centre along with the majority of the IRGC's air force commanders to prepare for an attack on Israel. The IDF said the group was then killed in a strike targeting the building. It said Hajizadeh commanded Iran's missile attacks on Israel in October and April last year. Hajizadeh was regarded less favourably by members of Iran's general public after he took responsibility for downing a Ukrainian passenger plane flying out of Tehran in 2020, which killed all 176 people on board. Abbasi, a nuclear scientist, served as the head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation between 2011 and 2013. He went on to be a member of parliament from 2020 to 2024. He promoted hardline positions to do with Iran's nuclear activities. In May, he spoke on Iranian TV channel about potentially building a nuclear weapon, and said he would willingly carry out orders to do so if he received them. A number of other nuclear scientists are also reported by Iranian state media to have been killed. They are: Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, who was also the head of Azad University in Tehran Abdulhamid Minouchehr, head of nuclear engineering at Iran's Shahid Beheshti University Ahmad Reza Zolfaghari, a nuclear engineering professor at Shahid Beheshti University Amirhossein Feqhi, another nuclear professor at Shahid Beheshti University Live: Latest updates as Israel targets Iran's nuclear sites Iran's Revolutionary Guards chief, killed by Israel Why Israel has decided to inflict damage on Iran's elite now What we know about Israel's attacks on Iran BBC Verify Live: Tracking Israel's strikes on Iran using verified video
Asharq Al-Awsat
19-03-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Cyber Group Disrupts Communication Networks of Iranian Oil Fleet
A hacker group has disrupted the communication networks of ships belonging to two major Iranian shipping companies sanctioned by the US. The group, called Lab Dookhtegan or 'Read My Lips', said it has disrupted the communication networks of 116 ships and therefore, severed the ships' connections to each other, their ports, and external communication channels, according to a report by Iran International. The attack, the report said, was timed to coincide with US military operations against the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthis. 'As part of this operation, we targeted the communication network 50 ships belonging to the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC) and 66 ships belonging to the Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL),' the report added. The ships belong to two major Iranian companies sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasury, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) have tightened their grip on the country's oil industry and control up to half the exports that generate most of Tehran's revenue and fund its proxies across the Middle East, according to Reuters. All aspects of the oil business have come under the growing influence of the IRGC, from the shadow fleet of tankers that secretively ship sanctioned crude, to logistics and the front companies selling the oil, mostly to China, according to more than a dozen people interviewed by Reuters. By disrupting ship communications, Lab Dookhtegan said on Tuesday it has significantly hindered operations, adding that full restoration of the affected systems could take weeks. 'Ship personnel can no longer communicate with one another, and their connection to the ports and outside world has been severed,' Iran International said. US President Donald Trump's administration is considering a plan to stop and inspect Iranian oil tankers at sea under an international accord aimed at countering the spread of weapons of mass destruction, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Trump has vowed to restore 'maximum pressure' campaign to isolate Iran from the global economy and drive its oil exports to zero, in order to stop the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Lab Dookhtegan said the attack coincided with its sixth anniversary and aims to demonstrate the scale and depth of its cooperation with individuals within the Iranian regime. The group is known for previous cyber activities against Iran's military and intelligence operations. In July 2022, the group revealed the identity of IRGC-affiliated hackers who exploited European, Australian and US individuals and institutions in order to carry out ransomware activities.
