Iran’s Cybersecurity Command has issued a directive for high-ranking officials and their security teams to immediately stop using any devices connected to public communication or telecom networks, including smartphones, laptops, and smartwatches. The move reflects growing fears of foreign cyber surveillance and targeted digital attacks, with officials urged to adopt secure, anti-tracking technologies as simply powering down devices may not prevent geolocation tracking.
The directive follows a major cyber-attack on Sepah Bank, a state institution linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which caused widespread ATM disruptions and is suspected to be the work of Israeli operatives. This escalation highlights the intense technology-driven tensions between Iran and Israel.
Further heightening security concerns, Iranian state television advised the public to delete WhatsApp, alleging—without evidence—that the app collects user data for Israeli intelligence. WhatsApp rejected these claims, emphasizing its use of end-to-end encryption and denial of location or message tracking, warning that such accusations may lead to blocking of the service.
Iranian authorities have not clarified the duration of the device usage restrictions or whether wider public measures will follow.
